On August 1, 2024, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the State of Goa and Union Territories announced significant amendments to its Solar PV Grid Interactive System regulations. This update impacts net metering, gross metering, and several other aspects related to solar energy projects.
Key Highlights of the Amendments
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the State of Goa & Union Territories (Solar PV Grid Interactive System based on Net Metering & Gross Metering) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2024 introduces several changes to the existing regulations. These changes cover definitions, metering mechanisms, and project capacities, among other aspects.
1. Definitions
Several key terms in the regulations have been updated for clarity:
| Term | New Definition |
|---|
| Consumer | “Any person supplied with electricity by a licensee, government, or any person engaged in the business of supplying electricity.” |
| Days | “Days means clear working days.” |
| Gross Metering | “Mechanism where total solar energy generated and total energy consumed are accounted separately; generation is paid at a feed-in tariff.” |
| Net Metering | “Mechanism where exported solar energy is deducted from imported energy to determine net energy; billed using a single bi-directional meter.” |
| Net-billing/Net feed-in | “A single bi-directional meter used where imported energy is valued at retail tariff and exported energy at feed-in tariff; the net amount is billed or credited.” |
| Occupier | “Owner, tenant, or person in occupation of the premises.” |
| Owner/Legal Heirs | “Person with absolute rights over the property.” |
| Prosumer | “A person who consumes electricity from the grid and can inject electricity into the grid using the same point of supply.” |
| Resident Welfare Association | “An association of property owners and tenants in a housing society or similar body registered with the State Government.” |
| Storage | “Energy storage systems utilizing technologies like solid-state batteries, flow batteries, etc., to store and deliver energy.” |
These updated definitions help in better understanding and applying the regulations by providing clear meanings for critical terms related to solar energy projects.
2. Project Capacity and Metering Mechanisms
The amendments introduce specific guidelines for project capacities and metering arrangements:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity Limits | – Projects up to 500 kWp are eligible for grid connection under these regulations. – Projects larger than 500 kWp must use net-billing or net feed-in. – Time-of-the-day tariffs may be introduced to incentivize energy storage. |
| Net Metering | – Solar energy exported to the grid is deducted from imported energy. – Billed using a single bi-directional meter. |
| Net Billing/Feed-in | – Uses two different tariffs: retail tariff for imported energy and feed-in tariff for exported energy. – Net amount is billed or credited. |
| Gross Metering | – All generated solar energy is sold to the distribution licensee. – Paid at a feed-in tariff. |
These changes are designed to accommodate varying sizes of solar projects and to provide flexibility in how solar energy is metered and billed.
3. Billing and Energy Accounting
| Mechanism | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Billing or Net Feed-in | – All generated solar energy is sold to the distribution licensee. – Consumption billed at retail tariff. – Exported energy valued at feed-in tariff. – Negative net amount carried over as credit. |
| Gross Metering | – Entire power generated is sold to the distribution licensee. – Paid at the feed-in tariff. – Power Purchase Agreement in place. |
These methods ensure that solar energy producers are compensated fairly for the energy they supply to the grid, whether through net billing, net feed-in, or gross metering.
4. Technical Feasibility and Installation
The regulations provide guidelines on technical feasibility studies and installation procedures:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feasibility Study | – Technical feasibility must be completed within 15 days. – If not completed, the proposal is deemed feasible. |
| Capacity Upgradation | – Systems up to 10 kW do not require a feasibility study. – Distribution infrastructure upgrades for systems up to 5 kW are covered by the distribution licensee. |
| Completion and Certification | – After installation, submit an installation certificate. – The distribution licensee must complete the connection agreement, meter installation, and commissioning within 15 days of receiving the certificate. |
These updates streamline the process for installing solar PV systems and ensure that necessary infrastructure upgrades are handled efficiently.
Geographical Application: These regulations apply to the State of Goa and the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
Project Types: The regulations shall apply only to Grid Connected Rooftop, Ground Mounted, and Floating Solar Power Projects.
Effective Date : August 1 , 2024.
