Even as various states announce new applicable generic tariffs for solar power for the new financial year, Bihar has decided to keep the tariff unchanged.

In its latest notification, the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has set the generic levelized tariff for power generated from solar PV for FY 2019-20 at ₹4.17 (~$0.060)/kWh without accelerated depreciation (AD). The tariff without availing AD remains unchanged from the generic tariff of solar PV fixed by the state commission for FY 2018-19.

However, the generic tariff for solar power with AD is ₹3.92 (~$0.057)/kWh, which is ₹0.06 (~$0.0087)/kWh less than the rate of ₹3.98 (~$0.058)/kWh that was fixed as the generic tariff for solar for FY 2018-19.

The commission fixed the new tariff by passing an order during a proceeding to determine the generic levelized tariff of renewable energy projects for the third year of the third control period for FY 2019-20. BERC has fixed generic tariff for al renewable energy sources.

The levelized generic tariff will also apply to rooftop solar projects of capacity less than 5 MW, solar thermal (installed capacity less than 5 MW), biomass with Rankine cycle, non-fossil fuel-based co-generation, biomass gasifier, and municipal solid waste/refuse-derived fuel project based on Rankine cycle.

The generic levelized tariff for the third year of control period FY 2019-20 from renewable energy sources will be applicable for the projects commissioned from the date of issue of the order until March 31, 2020, or until the next order.  The tariff will be valid for 25 years from the commercial operation date of a project.

To arrive at the tariffs, a loan tenure of 10 years and a debt-equity ratio of 70:30 have been considered by the state.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) fixed the generic tariff for solar PV procurement in the state at ₹3.04 (~$0.044)/kWh without accelerated depreciation (AD) and ₹2.80 (~$0.040)/kWh with AD. Generic tariff for solar in Bihar is ₹1.13 (~$0.016)/kWh more than what it is in Tamil Nadu.

In March 2019, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) set generic tariffs for the purchase of electricity from small hydro projects, biomass with Rankine cycle projects, non-fossil fuel-based co-generation projects, biomass gasifiers, and biogas-based projects during FY 2019-20.