The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has issued Draft (Rooftop Solar photovoltaic Grid Interactive System based on Net Metering) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2018.
The key amendments proposed are:
- “Premise” would be defined as a rooftops or an open area on any land, or building.
- The maximum capacity of the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system to be installed by any individual consumer covered under two-part tariff cannot exceed 80 per cent of the approved contract demand.
- For rooftop solar PV system of 5 kW or less, 100 per cent of approved connected load is allowed. For rooftop solar PV system more than 5 kW but less than 10 kW, 70 per cent of approved connected load or 5 kW, whichever is higher, is allowed. For rooftop solar PV system over 10 kW rating, 50 per cent of sanctioned connected load or 7 kW whichever is higher will be allowed.
- For single-phase low tension (LT) consumers, the maximum allowable capacity of rooftop solar PV system is 7 kW, while for three-phase LT consumers, maximum allowable capacity of the PV system is 20 kW. For 11 kV or higher voltage level consumers, maximum allowable capacity of rooftop PV system is 1 MW.
- Eligible consumers have to install solar meters with Meter Reading Instrument or wireless equipment recording facility as well as 0.2s class accuracy.
- Check meters are mandatory for rooftop solar PV system having more than 20 kW capacity and below such meters will be optional. The cost of meters has to be borne by the consumers.
- If consumers are getting supply at a voltage-levels lower than that specified in Supply Code, a low voltage supply surcharge will be levied.