The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has started a new proceeding to issue the first amendment to the regulations on rooftop solar grid interactive systems based on net and gross metering for 2024.
BERC invites written comments, suggestions, and objections on the draft regulations from the general public and stakeholders by June 20, 2024. Additionally, the Commission invites interested parties to participate in a public hearing scheduled for June 25, 2024, where they can present their arguments regarding the matter, either orally or in writing.
The consultative paper explains that the state electricity regulatory commission is responsible for promoting co-generation and generation of electricity from renewable sources. This involves providing suitable measures for grid connectivity and the sale of electricity. It also specifies a required percentage of total electricity consumption in the distribution licensee’s area to be sourced from renewable energy.
In line with these responsibilities, BERC had previously notified regulations in 2018 concerning rooftop solar grid interactive systems based on net and gross metering. These regulations aimed to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy by providing clear guidelines for connectivity and grid integration.
The draft amendment makes significant changes to the existing regulations. One key change requires distribution licensees to issue guidelines and procedures for the connectivity of net or gross metering within three months from the date of publication of the new regulation. These guidelines must ensure that technical feasibility studies for rooftop solar photovoltaic systems are completed within fifteen days. If the feasibility study is not completed within this timeframe, the proposal will be presumed technically feasible.
Furthermore, applications for rooftop solar photovoltaic systems up to 10 kW capacity that are complete in all respects will be automatically accepted without requiring a technical feasibility study. Any necessary enhancement of the consumer’s sanctioned load will be carried out by the distribution licensee.
These amendments aim to streamline the process of integrating rooftop solar systems, making it easier and quicker for consumers to adopt solar energy solutions. The regulatory changes reflect BERC’s commitment to promoting renewable energy and improving the efficiency of the electricity distribution system in Bihar. By simplifying the application process and reducing the waiting time for technical approvals, BERC hopes to encourage more households and businesses to install rooftop solar systems, contributing to a more sustainable energy future for the state.
Please view the document below for more details.
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