Maharashtra Solar Energy Policy

Tata Power Renewable Energy to Build 12.5 MW Captive Solar Plant in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Solar Energy Policy Updates 2017

As per the new proposed changes by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) in July 2017 the new regulations will be called the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Net Metering for Roof-top Solar Photo Voltaic Systems) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2017. Some of the highlights of the proposed changes are as follows:

1. The terms solar PV generating system and solar PV system will be substituted by the term renewable energy generating system.
2. The term solar generation meter will be substituted by the term renewable energy generation meter.
3. The terms solar renewable purchase obligation and solar RPO will be substituted by the term renewable purchase obligation.
4. The term solar energy will be substituted by the term renewable energy.

OBJECTIVE

As per Industries, Energy and Labour Department under the Grid connected Power Projects based on New and Renewable (Nonconventional) Energy Sources – 2015 policy solar power projects of 7500MW capacity will be developed of which, a total of 2500MW capacity solar power projects will be developed by MAHAGENECO in public Private Partnership (PPA) mode to fulfill the renewable energy generation obligation (RGO). The remaining capacity of 5000MW solar power projects will be developed by other developers.

APPLICABILITY

Of the target meant for development of solar power project through MAHAGENCO on public private partnership mode, ten percent of it shall be implemented at places availiable along the canals, lakes, water bodies of the water resources department or of the local government bodies. MAHAGENCO will enter into agreement with the water resources department or interested local government bodies for this purpose. The agreement will include the aspects of installation of project, revenue sharing, project management etc.

The solar power project can be installed in industrial areas, townshops warehouse areas along with other available locations.

The projects developed through the solar park mode will have a capacity of 1MW and above. Small investors who wish to use electricity generated from solar power project for captive purpose can also develop independent solar park.

Rooftop solar power projects can also be developed under this policy.

The solar power projects can be developed on lands available with Water Resource Department and also on areas available near canals or above canals by the department itself or through private developers. As the departments related to public trans-port or metro railway can develop such solar power projects.

INCENTIVES

Discrict collector can allot up-to 4 hectares of land for the grid connected solar power projects of up-to 2MW capacity. Such land will be give without auction, on lease at 50% concessional rate, in accordance with the provisions of Maharashtra Land Revenue code and the disposal of Government land rule 1971, on case to case basis and with relevant terms and conditions. Open access will be granted by the distribution licensee to the project developers who wish to opt for captive use of for third party sale, in accordance with MERC regulation/ order. The solar power projects under this policy are exempted from obtaining NOC/ consent from the pollution control Board. For the projects developed under this policy, open access will be granded by the distribution licensee to the project developers who wish to opt for captive use or for third party sale, in accordance with MERC regulation/ orders.

The government will give facilitation to the solar power project developers for the sale of electricity outside the state, but this sale for electricity will be over and above the target set under this policy.