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KERC revises solar power tariff

Commission cuts rates for solar rooftop, SPVs by 25-46 %
Last Updated 03 May 2016, 20:39 IST
In view of the decreasing capital investments in the solar energy sector, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has cut solar tariff in the range of 25 to 46% for solar rooftop and small photovoltaic power generation.

The revised tariff announced on Monday is applicable for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to be signed between May 2, 2016, and March 31, 2018.

In an official release on Tuesday, the KERC said that “The revision of tariff of solar rooftop and small PV plant is necessitated due to substantial decline in capital cost.’’

The earlier tariff fixed by the KERC had only two slabs - one for rooftop plants set up without capital subsidy (Rs 9.56 per unit) and with capital subsidy (Rs 7.20 per unit). The revised tariff varies from Rs 7.08 per unit to Rs 5.20 per unit for solar rooftop photovoltaic plants without subsidy. Similarly the new tariff for units with subsidy varies from Rs 6.03 to Rs 4.83 per unit.

Gross and net-metering

The commission has also introduced gross metering for domestic, hospital and educational institutions which allows to sell entire energy generated by their solar rooftop and small PV plants to the Escoms irrespective of their self-consumption.

Consumer shall continue to pay their energy bills for the energy consumed at the prevailing applicable retail supply tariff, the order issued by the KERC stated.

Meanwhile, the net-metering is restricted to industrial, commercial and all categories of consumers allowing to sell surplus energy generated by their solar rooftop and small PV plants to the Escoms after self-consumption.

Net metered energy is to be billed at tariff determined by the commission.
As the energy supply companies (escoms)  in the state have already signed Power Purchase Agreements for substantial capacity addition of solar power, the KERC in its present order has decided to allow an aggregate capacity addition of only 400 MW by all the Escoms in the state till the next revision.

As against the decision to keep the rooftop PV plant to the installed capacity of the building, the KERC has allowed equivalent to or less than 150% of the sanctioned load subject to a maximum of 5 kW on single phase supply and for above 5 kW upto 50 kW.

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(Published 03 May 2016, 19:08 IST)

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