RERC Relaxes New Rooftop Solar Norms Till Sept 15

Rajasthan state electricity regulator (RERC), in its order dated June 30, has extended the implementation date of new net metering norms for solar rooftop projects that restricts the benefits only to the household consumers and bars commercial projects having more than 10 kilowatt capacity.

The new norms were to kick off from July 1. As per the new order issued, the new norms will be effective from September 15. In the meantime, the Union ministry of power on Wednesday increased the threshold for rooftop solar projects up to 500 KW instead of 10 KW for net metering benefits.

RERC said that it has received representations from the stakeholders that due to second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the implementation of the projects under the different execution stages have come to a halt. They have requested the commission to extend the date June 30, 2021 at least by another three months, it added.

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation had written last week to the regulator to extend the date for implementing the new norms till December 31 this year looking at the difficulties the developers have faced.

In consideration of the representations, the commission said it “directs that the Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems commissioned under Net Metering agreements upto September 15, 2021, shall continue to operate under the Net Metering arrangement”.

Now, the solar rooftop industry expects the commission to take note of the recent order by the MoP which has allowed net metering benefits to projects up to 500kw.