APSPDCL Switches Rooftop Solar Settlements to Monthly Cycle

Tirupati:Rooftop solar consumers under the state Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd (APSPDCL) will now receive monthly settlements for surplus electricity exported to the grid, following the utility's decision to replace the earlier quarterly settlement system with a monthly billing cycle.

The revised mechanism allows consumers to receive payments every month based on the import and export of electricity recorded through net metering during each billing cycle. Earlier, surplus units exported to the grid were settled once every three months, resulting in a longer wait for consumers to receive payments.

Announcing the change on Thursday, APSPDCL chairman and MD Shivashankar Lotheti said the power utility had streamlined the process to provide quicker and transparent services. "Our objective is to provide the best possible services to rooftop solar consumers. The monthly settlement system ensures that bill settlements are completed on time with complete transparency," he said.

The CMD said rooftop solar consumers were playing an important role in strengthening the state's renewable energy sector by supplying surplus electricity to the grid. "The rooftop solar programme is being implemented in accordance with the central government's guidelines and with the support of the state government to promote renewable energy. Consumers exporting surplus power are making a valuable contribution to the state's energy sector," he stated.

According to APSPDCL, 36,963 consumers across Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts have installed rooftop solar systems with a combined generation capacity of 128mw. The utility credited `83.88 lakh directly to the bank accounts of 14,786 consumers towards surplus power supplied during June. A further `68.40 lakh was transferred to 17,086 consumers during July under the monthly settlement process.

Lotheti said APSPDCL had instructed field-level officials to ensure that rooftop solar consumers did not face inconvenience in billing or settlement.

The utility, he said, was further strengthening its billing, net metering and monthly settlement systems in view of the increasing adoption of rooftop solar. Consumers with billing related queries can approach the nearest assistant accounts officer or assistant executive engineer office for assistance. They can also report electricity related grievances by calling the toll free numbers 1912 or 1800 425 155333, or through WhatsApp on 91333 31912.