Chennai: Power consumers, who have installed solar rooftop systems, would be forced to pay for 10 per cent of their annual power consumption from Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) even if they generated more than their consumption. Tamil Nadu Electri city Regulatory Commission (TN ERC) has fixed a commercial cap on consumers installing rooftop solar photovoltaic systems at 90 per cent of their annual power consumption.
With the installation of solar net metering, the consumer would be paying the difference between the energy generated (export) by the solar system and energy consumed (import) from the grid. If the consumer generated more than consumed, the excess of generated power will be carried over to the next billing cycle. During a 12-month period, the maximum of energy export that will be credited by Tangedco is 90 per cent of the energy import.
For example: During the settlement period there is a total import of 5,000 units and a total export of 6,000 units. Of the 6,000 units exported 4,500 units are eligible for adjustment with the import units. It means consumers have to pay for 10 per cent of the power consumed even if they generated more than his/her consumption.
T. Sadagopan, president of Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre termed fixation of cap on generation by the consumers as a discouraging factor. “The government and the regulator authority should encourage the consumer installing solar systems rather than discouraging them by fixing cap on generation,” he said. Considering the investment made by the consumer, he asked the TNERC to rethink on its regulation and remove the cap on generation.
A senior Tangedco official said that though the commission had proposed a cap of 200 percent in its draft order, it has brought down the cap to 90 per cent in line with the guidelines issued by the forum of regulators.
TEDA official said that the consumer, through the installation of the solar system, would be able to bring down his power consumption charges. A kilowatt plant is expected to generate nearly 1,600 units of power per year. It works out to a saving of Rs 9,200 per year at a tariff of Rs 5.75 per kWhr, he pointed out.
