The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has admitted a joint petition filed by South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (SBPDCL) and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (NBPDCL), seeking amendments to the state’s rooftop solar net and gross metering regulations and approval of the proposed Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for financial year 2026–27.
The petition has been registered as Case No. 42/2026. The matter was heard by a three-member quorum comprising BERC Chairman Amir Subhani, Member (Legal) P.S. Yadav and Member (Tech.) Manoj Kumar. Representatives of both distribution companies also participated in the proceedings.
The DISCOMs have proposed three key changes. The first relates to the treatment of excess electricity generated by rooftop solar prosumers under the net metering mechanism. They have proposed amending Regulation 8.1 of the BERC (Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive Systems based on Net and Gross Metering) Regulations, 2018, to provide for settlement of surplus solar power injected into the grid at the end of the financial year at 50% of the Feed-in-Tariff determined by the Commission for that year.
The second proposal seeks to revise the eligibility limits for net metering. Under the proposal, prosumers would be allowed to install net-metered rooftop solar systems for connected loads up to 500 kW or their sanctioned load, whichever is lower. Systems associated with higher load capacities would be covered under gross metering arrangements.
The third proposal concerns the Feed-in-Tariff for electricity supplied to the grid under gross metering. SBPDCL and NBPDCL have requested BERC to approve a FiT of Rs. 2.71 per kWh for FY 2026–27. The proposed rate would apply to electricity injected into the distribution grid by prosumers or third-party owners under the gross metering mechanism.
After examining the petition, BERC observed that the proposals relating to regulatory amendments and the proposed tariff involve separate regulatory processes and require consultation with consumers and other stakeholders.
For the proposed amendments to the 2018 regulations, the Commission decided to initiate a separate suo-motu proceeding. BERC directed its Secretariat to prepare a draft amendment to the existing regulations within one week so that the formal consultation process can begin.
For the proposed FiT of Rs. 2.71 per kWh, the Commission directed the two DISCOMs to publish a summary of their petition as a public notice in at least two leading daily newspapers in Bihar. The notice must include one English and one Hindi newspaper and invite comments, suggestions and objections from consumers, citizens and other stakeholders.
The DISCOMs have been directed to publish the notice within seven days and submit copies of the newspaper publications to BERC within three days of publication.
Stakeholders can submit their written comments and objections to the Secretary, BERC, at Vidyut Bhawan-II, Nehru Path, Patna, through registered post, speed post or in person. The deadline for submissions is October 28, 2026.
BERC has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed FiT and related matters for November 2, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. The hearing will be held at the Commission’s Court Room in Patna, where the views and objections received from stakeholders will be considered before further regulatory action.
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