NET METERING POLICY – KERALA

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 Kerala.

Title – Grid Interactive Renewable Energy System under Net Metering Facility

Order Dated on – Order No.609/D (T)/2018/KSERC Dated: 7-2-2020

Applicability –

• The Grid Interactive Renewable Energy Systems, installed by a prosumer at his premise under this chapter shall be:
• of not less than one kW and not exceeding 1000 kW capacity on AC side of the inverter connected to the net meter of the distribution system, limited to the sanctioned connected load or contract demand as applicable to the prosumer, with the distribution licensee.
• Provided that the domestic consumers with connected load up to 20 kW is permitted to install ‘Renewable Energy System’ of capacity up to 20 kW, irrespective of their connected load.
• Located within the premises of the prosumer;
• Interconnected and operate safely in parallel with the distribution system of the licensee.

Eligible Consumer and Individual Plant Capacity–  

• With capacity 1 kWp – 1000 kWp

Interconnection with the Grid-

• The interconnection of the renewable energy system with the distribution system of the licensee shall conform to the specifications and standards as provided in the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013 and to the relevant provisions of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010, as amended from time to time
• The Net meter and Renewable energy meter installed shall conform to the standards, specifications and accuracy class, as provided in the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006, as amended from time to time and be installed in such a manner that they are accessible for reading.
• The licensee shall, while intimating the feasibility as per these Regulations, inform the prosumer, the specifications and such other details of the components, if any, to be installed along with the renewable energy system as per the provisions of these Regulations.
• The prosumer shall comply with the specifications and standards as provided by the licensee and shall install manually operated isolating switch and grid-tied inverter/ associated equipment with sufficient safeguards to prevent injection of electricity from the renewable energy system to the distribution system of the licensee when the distribution system is de-energized.

Wheeling & Cross Subsidy surcharge –

• The prosumer is exempted from the payment of transmission charges, wheeling charges, cross subsidy surcharges for the electricity generated and consumed at the same premises from the renewable energy system under net metering facility.

Metering Arrangement –

• The net meter shall be installed at the interconnection point of the prosumer with the network of the distribution licensee.
• All meters installed shall comply with the CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereof. Provided that, consumers having ABT compliant meters with net metering facility shall not be required to install additional Net meter.
• The distribution licensee shall make available correct Net meter and Renewable energy meter to the eligible consumer who proposes to install a renewable energy system in his premises.
• The distribution licensee shall undertake the testing of meters before installation to ensure accuracy of the meter. The meter(s) shall be jointly inspected by both the eligible consumer and the distribution licensee, and shall be sealed by the distribution licensee.
• The licensee may collect from the eligible consumer, the security deposit and rent for the renewable energy meter and net meter, if provided by the licensee, at the rates approved by the Commission from time to time.
• The distribution licensee, shall within three months of the date of notification of these Regulations, modify its existing billing infrastructure to facilitate the metering arrangements as envisaged under these Regulations