The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has released draft guidelines for implementing group net metering and virtual net metering frameworks for renewable energy systems.

These guidelines, set to come into effect upon issuance, aim to promote the adoption of renewable energy and provide more flexible options for consumers.

The Commission has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders by October 3, 2024.

Group and Virtual Net Metering

Group net metering allows surplus energy generated from a renewable energy system or battery energy storage system charged through renewable energy to be exported to the grid and adjusted across multiple electricity service connections of the same consumer within the distribution licensee’s area of supply.

Virtual net metering enables the entire energy generated from a renewable energy system to be exported to the grid and adjusted across multiple electricity service connections of participating consumers within the same distribution licensee’s area.

This option will be available for domestic consumers and entities such as group housing societies, government offices, local authorities, hospitals, educational institutions, charitable institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Capacity and technical considerations

The capacity of renewable energy systems under these frameworks must be between 1 kW and 1MW.

The distribution licensee must conduct a technical study on the impact of these systems on the distribution network, including factors such as grid voltage, frequency imbalance, harmonics, and technical losses.

Application and Registration Process

Consumers intending to participate in either group net metering or virtual net metering must apply to the distribution licensee along with a non-refundable fee of ₹1,000 (~$11.93). The process involves three stages:

• Feasibility Analysis
• Registration
• Connection Agreement

The distribution licensee will install renewable energy meters at generation points capable of remote meter reading. For group net metering, surplus energy will be adjusted against consumption in a sequence specified by the consumer, with the option to revise the priority list annually.

In virtual net metering, energy credits will be allocated to participating consumers based on predetermined ratios, with the flexibility to adjust these ratios once per financial year.

Renewable energy systems commissioned by March 31, 2024, will be exempt from wheeling, banking, and cross-subsidy charges during their useful life.

At the end of each financial year, any surplus energy will be compensated at the average power purchase cost rate determined in the tariff order of APDCL.

Recently, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) clarified that if a rooftop solar consumer switches from a net metering arrangement to a gross metering arrangement and carries out wiring modifications, the distribution companies  must execute a Supplemental Power Purchase Agreement to formalize the change.

Last year, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) increased the net metering cap for rooftop solar power projects to either 5 MW or the ‘consumer’s contract demand/ sanction load, whichever is lower.

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