The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has directed Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to continue processing rooftop solar applications under the existing regulatory framework. The Commission has rejected APDCL’s immediate proposal to restrict net metering benefits and stop payments for excess solar power supplied to the grid.
APDCL had filed a petition seeking amendments to the AERC (Grid Interactive Solar PV Systems) Regulations. The utility proposed limiting rooftop solar capacity to 100% of the connected load or contract demand, whichever is lower, for both low-tension and high-tension consumers.
It also sought to restrict net-metering benefits to residential consumers with a connected load of up to 10 kWp, citing the Assam Solar Generation Promotion Policy, 2025. Another key proposal was to discontinue payments for surplus electricity remaining at the end of the annual settlement period. APDCL proposed treating such electricity as “inadvertent injection” with zero financial compensation.
The distribution company estimated that the existing net-metering framework was causing an annual financial impact of around ₹88.98 crore. It reported paying ₹84.05 lakh to 6,707 households in FY 2024–25 and estimated ₹7.35 crore in payouts against 1,04,624 rooftop solar installations in FY 2025–26. APDCL also estimated unit-adjustment losses of ₹71.62 crore.
However, during the hearing on July 28, 2026, the AERC bench comprising Chairperson Lt. Gen. Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd) and Member Upananda Kataki found the financial analysis submitted by APDCL incomplete.
The Commission noted that APDCL had not adequately considered factors such as time-of-day variations in power purchase costs, savings from daytime solar generation and avoided electricity purchases during peak periods. AERC stated that any proposal to restrict rooftop solar capacity or discontinue payments for surplus generation must be supported by a transparent and comprehensive cost-benefit assessment.
In its interim order dated August 5, 2026, AERC directed APDCL to process all rooftop solar applications in accordance with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, existing AERC regulations and applicable scheme guidelines, including PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The Commission also instructed APDCL not to delay, reject, or keep applications pending because of the ongoing petition. The utility cannot demand additional documents or impose technical conditions that are not authorized under the applicable regulations.
AERC further directed APDCL to immediately operationalize deemed acceptance and automatic load enhancement for rooftop solar systems up to 10 kW.
APDCL must now submit a revised financial impact study, an assessment of the operational impact of Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading, and a compliance report on affidavit by August 26, 2026. The Commission will consider the petition further after reviewing these submissions.
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