Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (TERC) has mandated the state distribution licensees (DISCOMs) to allow net metering arrangements for eligible consumers up to 85% of the rated capacity of the distribution transformer under the new net metering guidelines.

The Commission has granted DISCOMs the authority to permit net metering connectivity beyond the threshold based on a detailed load study.

Additionally, the DISCOMs must provide annual information on transformer-level capacity available for connecting grid interactive rooftop solar systems under net metering arrangements, which will be published on its website and shared with the Commission.

The regulatory body has made a few other significant amendments to the guidelines to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems, specifically focusing on group and virtual net metering arrangements.

The amended guidelines, titled “Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering for Renewable Energy) (First Amendment) Guidelines, 2023,” came into effect on June 23, 2023.

Under the new guidelines, unadjusted net credited units of electricity limited to 25% of the total units generated during the financial year by an eligible consumer will be purchased by the DISCOMs at the approved average power purchase cost for the respective year.

However, any excess unadjusted net credited units above 25% of the total units generated during the year will be considered unwanted/inadvertent injunction and will not be eligible for payment by DISCOMs.

As per the revised guideline, renewable energy systems commissioned until March 31, 2026, under the TERC (Net Metering for Grid Interactive Rooftop Solar System) Regulations, 2016, will be exempted from payment of wheeling charges, banking charges, cross-subsidy charges, and any other charges as determined by the Commission during their useful life.

The exemption is expected to provide additional financial incentives for consumers adopting renewable energy systems.

The revised guidelines are expected to streamline the process for net metering and virtual net metering arrangements, offering consumers increased flexibility and financial benefits.

By incentivizing the installation of rooftop solar systems, Tripura aims to harness the abundant solar potential in the region and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.

To make it attractive for a group of village households to install rooftop solar, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued standard operating procedures for virtual and group net-metering.

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