Here is a policy roundup from central, state and government agencies from the month of November covering renewable energy in India.

• CEA Invites Comments from the Public on its Draft Regulations Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has invited comments from the public on its draft regulations technical standards for connectivity to the grid. The changes proposed by the CEA are expected to help prevent wastage of surplus renewable energy.

• MNRE to Provide Central Finance Assistance to Rooftop Solar Developers in Tamil Nadu

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will provide central finance assistance (CFA) at the rate of Rs.22.50 (~$0.3371)/W to install grid-connected solar rooftop power projects under the MNRE’s “Grid-Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Projects Program.”

• TNERC Rejects Adani’s Plea for Tariff Revaluation

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has rejected Adani’s initial legal case against Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) for revaluation of tariff from Rs.5.1 (~$0.076)/kWh to Rs.7.01 (~$0.1045)/kWh.

• New Central Transmission Utility Entity in the Offing

The Government of India is contemplating the creation of a separate entity as a dedicated company having operational and financial autonomy which will discharge the statutory functions of the CTU along with other functions which among other things includes Power System Planning.

• MNRE Releases Renewables Target for FY 2017-18

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of adding 20,450 MW of grid-connected renewable energy capacity in the financial year 2017-18.

• CEA Reminds Utilities to Strictly Follow the Advisory on Use of Domestic Materials for Government Projects

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has requested utilities to ensure that they follow the advisory mandating the use of domestic materials and equipment in government projects. In May, this year, the CEA issued an advisory pertaining to the procurement of equipment and material for domestically funded projects through the Ministry of Power (MoP), Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), and projects funded by Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and state power utilities.

• Net Metering Policy for Rooftop Solar in Telangana

The Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) has approved net metering for solar rooftop customers in the state with systems ranging from 1 kW to 1 MW. The policy has been released to make people aware of the process, incentives, and subsidies, and to ease the process of installing rooftop solar PV systems in the state.

This policy applies to power distribution companies (DISCOMs), eligible consumers and third-party owners of rooftop solar projects in the state of Telangana.