Gujarat Net-Metering Guidelines 2016

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The Gujarat Net-Metering Guidelines are unique in its own way. Parts of it have greater level of detail and depth in it which is an evolution and a step forward from the past regulations that were published by other state commissions. However, other parts of it can be compared with regulations of the other states. The final Net- Metering Guidelines were published on 18/06/2016.

These regulations apply to all suppliers of electricity (DISCOMs) in Gujarat. The DISCOMs in Gujarat are as follows:

• MGVCL
• PGVCL
• UGVCL
• DGVCL
• Torrent SEC
• Torrent AEC

Highlights:

• Rooftop connection will be provided on a first come and first serve basis. Total capacity of the transformer reserved for connection of Rooftop Solar Power Systems is a massive 65% which is a huge jump from other states which generally have only 30% reserved for Solar Net-Metering. Available capacity left to connect your solar power system to the transformer in your area would be available on your DISCOMs website. These guidelines apply to all consumers located in and around the area of a distribution licensee

• Minimum capacity for connecting to the grid is 1 kWp of system and the maximum that can be connected is a 1 MWp of system. The DISCOM may undertake projects above 1 MW through alternative mechanisms (such as PPA)

• Roof rights are compulsory for you to be able to install a Rooftop Solar System on your roof or on the part of land the solar system would be installed on.

• Procedure for application for Net-Metering for your Rooftop Solar System can be viewed here. This is a step-by-step procedure you need to follow in order get this connection.

• Maximum installable capacity is a miserly 50% of the consumer’s sanctioned load for domestic, commercial and industrial. This may come across as strikingly different from the capacity allowed by other states. However, this is a perhaps because the installed capacity of Solar in Gujarat is already quite a bit setting it as one of the leading states in Solar. So, it’s a saturated state, so with the release of these guidelines we may see an uptake of solar in the smaller domestic segment however, not so much by bigger spaces and establishments.

• The safety protections that need to be in-built in the Rooftop Solar System are listed in the regulations (view here). These specifications ensure that the system that is installed will not cause any harm to the grid, the customer or the equipment being powered by the electricity produced from the Rooftop Solar System.

• Only after receiving the commissioning certificate can the customer claim units injected into the grid. The billing with net metering would be pretty standard, as it has been for other States and UTs such as Haryana and Delhi. (Click here to view Sample Bill). In case the electricity injected exceeds (at the end of the year) the imported electricity then purchase of such electricity (for the whole life of the system) would be at the APPC of the previous year.*

• Exemptions: Customers with Rooftop Solar Installations <1MW will be exempted from Transmission Charge, Transmission Loss, Wheeling Charge, Wheeling Loss, Cross Subsidy Surcharge and Additional Surcharge.

Notes:

• * This excludes Industrial and Commercial customers using ‘solar’ for RPO or REC
• Technical Standards for Inverters as given in the annexure (refer)
• The net metering agreement can be referred to here (refer)
• Meter specifications can be viewed here (refer)