Introduction
This document outlines the amendments made to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC) Grid Interactive Rooftop Renewable Energy Generating Systems Regulations (Principal Regulations).
The key changes are:
Enabling Virtual Net Metering:
- Residential consumers in multi-storied buildings can now set up a renewable energy system (RES) outside their premises and source the generated electricity under a “Virtual Net Metering” arrangement.
- Multiple residential consumers within the same housing society can come together to install a shared RES under Virtual Net Metering.
- This is restricted to avoid replicating Green Energy Open Access for larger consumers.
Key Points:
- Open Access Charges and Losses for sourcing electricity from RES under Virtual Net Metering are exempted until the total rooftop solar capacity in Maharashtra reaches 5,000 MW (applicable to both Virtual Net Metering and individual Net Metering systems).
- The existing sizing stipulations for RES capacity under the Principal Regulations remain unchanged.
- Virtual Net Metering is currently restricted to residential consumers in multi-storied buildings only. Other consumer categories can use Net Metering or Group Metering facilities under these Regulations or opt for Green Energy Open Access.
Additional Considerations:
- The document acknowledges the potential challenges raised by MSEDCL regarding revenue loss and grid stability due to Virtual Net Metering.
- The Commission emphasizes promoting sustainable practices by allowing housing societies to create micro-grids with RES and battery storage for internal use and emergency backup.
- The document clarifies technical aspects like energy accounting, scheduling, and time-of-day considerations.
Overall, this policy amendment aims to encourage rooftop solar adoption in Maharashtra by easing residential consumers’ access to virtual net metering in multi-storied buildings.
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