MPUVNL announces new decentralized solar policy and rooftop solar tariff reaches at INR 1.38/kWh

• Madhya Pradesh Govt. recently introduced a decentralized solar policy to encourage the development of the decentralized RE projects and applications in the state. The policy allows decentralized RE systems of the following types:

1. Grid-connected RE systems:

• Category I: On Net-metering basis
• Category II: Gross metering with wheeling and banking
• Category III: For consumption within premises with no export of power (Reduction in the base load during the day)
• Off-Grid RE systems
• The policy also encourages Net-metering RE systems under the categories mentioned above. The system capacity for both grid-connected and off-grid is of 2 MW. Bulk consumers who are single point consumers are also eligible under the policy.
• The maximum permissible capacity of the RE systems for all the Net-metered RE systems connected to a particular distribution transformer of the licensee’s grid shall be equal to the rated capacity of the said distribution transformer w.r.to MPERC Net metering regulations 2015.
• In case the cumulative capacity of the proposed RE system exceeds, it is the distribution transformers responsibility to provide the infrastructure to accommodate the proposed capacity.
• In the case of an LT Net metered consumer, the RE beneficiary will not bear the cost of the augmentation of the infrastructure, whereas, in case of the HT consumer, the infrastructure will be upgraded by the distribution licensee at the cost of the consumer.
• In case installation of the decentralized renewable energy system for low tension (LT) consumer requires system augmentation, such as replacement of existing distribution transformer (DT) with a DT of higher capacity, the entire cost related to augmentation for the interconnection of the renewable energy system with the network of the DISCOM will be borne by the DISCOM. The DISCOM can claim it as part of the ARR filing.
• Excess or surplus energy remaining banked with the distribution licensee at the end of the year will be settled at an Average Pooled Power Purchase Cost (APPC).
• Ways to implement the RE projects under RESCO include:
• Build Own Operate Maintain (BOOM): RESCO will Build, own and operate the system for its lifetime period and supply power to the consumer for the lifetime agreement. RESCO will uninstall the infrastructure once the lifetime period is over and build the roof in the same condition.
• Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT): RESCO will finance, develop own and supply power to the consumer from the RE system for the lifetime period under the agreement. Post the agreement period, the system will be transferred to the RE consumer as per the agreement, wherein the consumer can assign the RESCO for the O&M maintenance under the suitable agreement between both the parties.
• Incentives on various charges are as follows: Open access to be available to all RE systems specified in the MPERC open access regulations 2015, Wheeling charges will be available to all RE systems as specified in the MPERC regulations. Further, Govt. of MP will provide a grant of 4% in terms of energy injected and the balance if any, shall be borne by the RE consumer.
• Cross-subsidy is exempted for RE system under this policy and net metered systems are exempted from banking charges & wheeling charges as per MPERC regulation 2015. However, Category II, III and Off-Grid systems ate not exempted from the above-mentioned charges.
• Electricty duty will not be applicable to the producer of renewable energy beneficiary, consumer, licensee for supply, sale or consumption of RE from generating systems installed under this policy for a period of 10 years from the date of start of supply.
• Consumers connected at LT level will be exempted from electricty duty for a lifetime of the RE system.
• The installation of the RE system on the premises of the RE beneficiary will not be considered in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and will be provided additional FAR for construction in the premises according to the capacity proposed as per the regulations by Urban Development & Housing Dept. Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.
• Energy consumed from net-metered renewable energy system by a non-obligated entity qualifies towards renewable purchase obligation (RPO) compliance of the concerned distribution company (DISCOM). The DISCOM does not need to pay for such power.

In addition to the policy, in a new auction for the rooftop RE system, a new tariff of INR 1.38/kWh was discovered for the 35 kW rooftop capacity. The tariff has reduced more than the last discovered tariff for rooftop capacity auction at INR 1.58/kWh.