NET METERING POLICY – TAMIL NADU

Net metering is the mechanism that allows distribution companies monitor the user’s energy production and consumption. This mechanism also allows consumers who generate some or all of their own electricity to use that electricity anytime, instead of when it is generated. For an instance, consider a prosumer is generating and consuming the electricity and has surplus amount of energy. The surplus amount of energy is feed into the grid. There is another facility to transfer the surplus energy into the grid and use the same amount anytime. This facility is called as Banking.

The net metering policy can vary significantly from country to country and state to state. Most net metering laws involve monthly rollover of kWh credits. Net metering uses the single, and bi-directional meters and can measure the current flowing in both the directions. Net metering can be installed and solely responsible as an accounting procedure, requires no special notification or arrangement. The list of aspects considered for net metering policy are listed one by one for Tamil Nadu.

Title – Solar energy grid feed-in mechanism

Order Dated on – Order No. 3 /2019, dated 25-03-2019

Applicability –

• This order on new scheme of rooftop solar generation, namely, solar net feed in-consumer category is applicable to all new applicants from the Eligible consumer category. The date of effect of this order is 25.03.2019, the date of passing of order by the Commission.
• The existing consumers under the net metering scheme shall continue to be governed by the provisions dt.13.11.2013.

Eligible Consumer and Individual Plant Capacity–  

• Consumers under Low Tension category except Hut and Agricultural category of tariff are eligible.
• The maximum capacity of solar rooftop generating plant that an eligible consumer can install shall be up to 100% of his sanctioned/contracted demand with the distribution licensee.

Interconnection with the Grid-

• The technical standards of connectivity shall be as specified in the CEA’s Regulations 2013 and as amended from time to time.
• The maximum capacity for interconnection with the grid at a specific voltage level shall be governed by the Supply/Distribution code as amended from time to time. The interconnecting voltage levels of distributed generating sources relevant to capacity range up to 4 kW – 240 V – single phase or 415 V Three phase at the option of the consumer above 4 kW and up to 112 kW – 415 V- three phase

Wheeling & Cross Subsidy surcharge –

• No cross subsidy surcharge

Metering Arrangement –

• The consumers under the solar net feed-in scheme will have to install two meters. One is for measuring solar power generation and the other is to measure import and export of energy. The first meter, solar generation meter shall be placed after the inverter at the ground floor of the premises to facilitate easy access for meter reading. The second meter shall be a bi-directional meter which will replace the existing consumer meter and used for commercial settlement of energy imported and exported.
• The first and the second meter will have to be installed at the same location where existing meter for recording consumption of energy is installed.
• Installation of solar generation meter will help the licensee for demand forecasting and also for computation of total solar generation in the State. All consumers under the net feed-in scheme shall install solar generation meters to measure actual generation from the solar plant.
• The meters shall adhere to the standards specified by the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulation 2006 and as amended from time to time and Commission’s relevant regulations/orders as amended from time to time.
• The cost of new/ additional meters provided for the net feed-in scheme and the installation and testing charges shall be borne by the eligible consumers.

The net energy metering policy and the additional information for the Tamil Nadu state can be seen in the link provided below.

http://www.tnerc.gov.in/orders/Tariff%20Order%202009/2019/Solar-25-03-2019.pdf