MERC, in its order, has clarified that solar power generators cannot simultaneously use both open access and net metering facilities for a project. The commission also ruled that net metering benefits will be limited to rooftop solar installations of up to 1 MW only. For generators having project capacities of 1 MW and above, net metering will not be provided and open access rules will apply. The MERC order came in response to a petition filed by CleanMax Solar seeking net metering permission for a 991 kW rooftop solar PV project on the premises of Asahi India Glass Limited in MIDC-Taloja, Maharashtra. The commission rejected the petition stating that net metering and open access were two different sets of arrangements for different consumers and required separate regulatory frameworks.
