The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) has introduced guidelines for group net metering and virtual net metering within the state. These regulations are anticipated to contribute to the objectives laid out in the Jharkhand State Solar Policy 2022. The JSERC (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering) Regulations, 2024, will come into effect upon their publication in the Jharkhand state government gazette.
The group and virtual net metering frameworks apply to all qualified consumers. However, individuals with unresolved arrears with the distribution licensee will not be deemed eligible. The rules for allocating land space will be regulated by the provisions outlined in the JSERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2015, with consideration for any amendments and subsequent orders issued. The distribution licensee is required to undertake a thorough technical assessment to evaluate the influence of the installed renewable energy system on the distribution system. The distribution licensee is accountable for performing a technical feasibility assessment using the details provided in the application submitted by the eligible consumer. This evaluation should be concluded within seven business days of receiving the application. Feasibility approval will be granted to consumers by the distribution company (discom) in the order of application submission, following a first-come, first-served basis.
With respect to the connection agreement, the project installation should be finaliSed within six months from the agreement date. The discom has the authority to provide time extensions on an individual basis if delays occur beyond the specified six months. However, once this extended period elapses, the agreement will be deemed terminated. With respect to metering arrangement, the distribution licensee is obligated to set up renewable energy meters at the generation points, facilitating remote meter reading in accordance with the specifications detailed in clause A9 of the JSERC (Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems and Net/Gross Metering) Regulations, 2015, taking into account any modifications and subsequent orders issued.
Within the framework of group net metering, the regulations specify the procedures for energy accounting and settlement. Excess energy generated by the renewable energy system, surpassing the consumption, is reconciled against the energy consumption of other service connections according to a predetermined priority list and sharing ratio. Any surplus electricity credits remaining at the conclusion of a settlement period are recorded and refunded to the consumer at a rate sanctioned by the commission. Likewise, within the framework of virtual net metering, the regulations specify the procedures for energy accounting and settlement. The monthly bills of participating connections receive credits for the energy generated from the renewable energy system, and this is determined by the specified procurement ratio in the agreement/MoU. Excess credited units are rolled over to subsequent billing periods within the settlement period, and there are provisions for reimbursement by the distribution licensee.
To ensure conformity and system integrity, the regulations grant discom officials the authority to carry out regular inspections of renewable energy systems, confirming their functionality and adherence to prescribed standards. Moreover, the regulations provide exemptions from specific charges and facilitate adherence to renewable purchase obligations and renewable energy certificate mechanisms for qualifying generators.
