GERC Approves Fifth Amendment To Net Metering Regulations 2025 For Rooftop Solar Systems In Gujarat

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has approved the Fifth Amendment to its Net Metering Regulations for Rooftop Solar PV Grid-Interactive Systems, which came into effect on November 4, 2025. The amendment introduces key changes aimed at simplifying procedures and aligning the state’s solar regulations with updated technical standards under the Gujarat Electricity Supply Code. This marks another step in Gujarat’s ongoing efforts to streamline rooftop solar adoption and enhance the efficiency of regulatory processes.

The amendment primarily brings two major updates. The first change relates to the implementation of the central government’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This national rooftop solar scheme encourages households to install solar panels and generate free electricity. The state’s four Distribution Companies (Discoms) approached GERC requesting that the process of signing a separate written inter-connection agreement be removed for consumers participating in this program. The Discoms referred to a communication from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which highlighted that simplifying the process would accelerate the scheme’s rollout and help meet its ambitious targets.

Accepting the proposal, GERC has now included a new proviso in Regulation 7 of the Principal Regulations. This new rule eliminates the requirement for a separate written agreement between consumers and the Discoms for rooftop solar systems installed under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Instead, consumers are automatically bound by the terms and conditions of the existing GERC regulations. The agreement will be considered to have started on the date the rooftop solar system is commissioned. In place of a formal document, the concerned Discom will only need to communicate the commencement date and applicable rate for surplus energy purchase to the applicant, with an official receipt as proof. This change simplifies the paperwork for both consumers and utilities and is expected to speed up solar rooftop installations across Gujarat.

The second major change focuses on updating technical standards for grid connectivity to align with the revised provisions of the Gujarat Electricity Supply Code. In September 2024, GERC amended the Supply Code to allow greater flexibility for electricity connectivity levels. Previously, Regulation 8(2) of the Net Metering Rules allowed connectivity at the Low Tension (LT) level only up to 100 kVA/kW of contracted demand. However, following the Fourth Amendment to the Supply Code, consumers can now opt for LT connectivity up to 150 kVA/kW of their contracted demand.

To maintain consistency between the Net Metering Regulations and the Supply Code, GERC has replaced the earlier table that defined connectivity levels. The new Regulation 8(2) now states that the connectivity levels for rooftop solar systems will be governed directly by the GERC Electricity Supply Code and its amendments. This change ensures that future updates to the main Supply Code will automatically apply to rooftop solar systems, avoiding the need for repeated amendments.

Before finalizing the Fifth Amendment, GERC carried out a public consultation process. A Public Notice was issued on October 14, 2025, followed by a Public Hearing on October 28, 2025. As no objections, comments, or suggestions were received from stakeholders, the Commission decided to proceed with the draft regulations without any modifications. The approved amendment, titled GERC (Net Metering Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2025, will now be officially published in the Gujarat Government Gazette.

With these updates, Gujarat aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly regulatory framework for rooftop solar projects, promoting faster adoption and supporting India’s broader clean energy goals.