The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has clarified that the net metering facilities for rooftop and small grid-connected solar systems will be valid up to June 30, 2021.

Under the ‘Grid-Connected Distributed Renewable Energy Generating Systems Regulations, 2020′ net metering for rooftop solar and small grid-connected solar projects commissioned was to expire on March 31, 2021. The Commission has amended this clause.

Appearing for the Rajasthan Solar Association in the matter, Aditya Kumar Singh, Associate Partner at Link Legal India Law Services, said, “I’m thankful to RERC, which has accepted our submission and has realized the danger of excluding certain consumers’ classes from availing net metering. This segment is one of the unique segments that concerns two priority segments of the current establishment-renewable energy and startup India. I’m convinced that the Ministry of Power has not realized the danger of a 10 kW restriction. It will come out with some reasonable regulation that should be a guiding factor for other commissions. All commissions are not like RERC and are in a hurry to take away the consumers’ net metering rights, and the Ministry should come out with clarity on this subject at the earliest.”

Recently, in a similar order, the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission ruled that consumers who install solar photovoltaic systems before June 30, 2021, will be eligible for net metering facilities.

In February this year, the Ministry of Power assured stakeholders from the rooftop solar segment that the government will review its stance on gross metering for installations over 10 kW capacity.

The provision under the Electricity (Rights of Consumer) Rules 2020 mandated net metering for loads up to 10 kW and gross metering for loads greater than 10 kW.

Mercom’s flagship event Mercom India Solar Summit, to be held virtually on April 8 and 9, has an exclusive session to discuss India’s rooftop solar scene. The session “Can Rooftop Solar Come Out of Ground Mount’s Shadow and Be the Next Big Thing?” will be held on April 9 at 11 AM.  You can click here to register for the event.