DERC to net meter renewable energy production in Delhi

Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has announced a new regulation on net metering of renewable energy, allowing Delhiites to supply solar energy.

The regulations sketch how people can generate renewable energy, and then supply it to the grid and achieve reduction in their electricity bills.

The guidelines are expected to be imposed within a week.

The net metering regulations are applicable for all kinds of renewable energy like solar, hydro and wind but in case of Delhi only solar generation are feasible.

In Delhi, Many households and organizations produce solar power for their own consumption, and this new regulations will permit them to get energy credits or redeem the supplied units against their electricity bills.

With this regulation, consumers can set up their own solar panels, use according to their requirement and supply the excess power to the grid. Whatever energy is supply to the grid, it can be drawn back whenever needed, explained, P D Sudhakar, chairperson, DERC.

How much power a person supplies and draws back from the grid will be metered and if they draw more than they supply, the difference will be charged. If they draw less, they will get energy credits for it.

To become a renewable energy generator, a person has to apply to their area’s discom for a connection to the renewable energy system.

The discom will first analyze transformer-level capacity and then permit the connection after.

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The capacity of renewable energy system to be installed at any premises shall be subject to the feasibility of interconnection with the grid, the available capacity of the service line connection of the consumers of the premises, and the sanctioned load of the consumer. Minimum capacity for the renewable energy system should not be less than 1kW peak, noted, DERC officials.

Two meters will be installed in the consumer’s premises, one renewable energy meter to measure total energy generated, and a net meter to measure the difference between the power drawn and contributed to the grid.

Check meters can be installed and tested by either party at their own cost and for the renewable energy meter it is to be borne by the distribution licensee.

Many large-scale power consumers like malls, hospitals, schools and government buildings that produce own solar energy can supply its excess power to the grid and get adjustments in its power bills.

For discoms, the advantage is that any renewable energy they source in this way will count towards their renewable power obligations that they have not been able to meet.

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