Latest news with #SRTPV
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Now, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission permits citizens to install solar panels on walls of apartment buildings
Bengaluru: Breathing a fresh lease of life into the Solar Rooftop PV (SRTPV) project, which met with a poor response from public in the wake of the state govt's Gruha Jyothi scheme, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) not only revived the entire project but also rechristened it as 'Distributed Solar PV (DSPV) Plants'. Under the new DSPV system, citizens can install solar panels not just on the rooftop but also on the walls of buildings and any elevated structures on the ground, including carports and other structures in apartment communities and govt buildings. The KERC's latest order is viewed as a game changer for apartment communities, domestic consumers, govt buildings, and charitable institutions. The new DSPV method not only provides them with better revenue options for harnessing solar energy but also offers a lucrative tariff permitted through Virtual Net Metering (VNM) and Group Net Metering (GNM) models. The new methods and tariff will be applicable to all solar projects commissioned after July 1, 2025, and will be valid for the next 25 years, according to the order. The Karnataka Renewable Energy Association and Solar Manufacturers had requested KERC to allow setting up of solar panels on all elevated structures on the ground with a net-metering facility, besides permitting facade-integrated solar panels on the walls of buildings. The KERC, considering the latest developments in solar technology, permitted it along with VNM and GNM. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Raghunandan A, president of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association, revealed VNM benefits multiple consumers within the same utility service area to share the benefits of a single solar power system, even if they do not have solar panels on their property. "VNM is best suited for those who do not wish or cannot install solar on their own rooftops. But if they have invested in rooftop projects elsewhere in the same premises, they will receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the generated power," he said. Similarly, GNM is a method where a single consumer with multiple accounts can pool the solar energy generated from a single or multiple solar power plants and offset their electricity bills across all those accounts linked to the entity. The VNM is seen as a shot in the arm for domestic consumers, group housing societies (apartments), institutions managed by charitable organisations, and govt buildings, including schools or those belonging to local bodies. "The minimum capacity of the solar plant under VNM would be 5kW, and the maximum size shall not exceed the combined sanctioned load of all participating consumers," the KERC order said. Under VNM, consumers can sell their entire solar energy to the grid, but under GNM, the consumers must consume at least 20 per cent of the total energy generated by the solar plant in a month. Better Tariff To promote solar energy, KERC has offered the best tariff, according to stakeholders. "Consumers can avail Rs 3.86 per unit for up to 10kW, and Rs 3.8 per unit for power generated above 10 kW. Given the existing tariff structure for solar projects, this is a very decent tariff and will be a good revenue model for apartment communities as these earnings would balance their monthly maintenance expenditure," explained a member of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association. Cost per kW 1kW – 10 kW (Rs 40k/kW) 1 kW up to sanctioned load kW (Rs 30k/kW) Life of the Solar Plant 25 yrs 25 yrs Debt equity Ratio & Debt 70:30 (Rs 28,000) 70:30 (Rs 21,000) Debt repayment in years 13 13 Equity in rupees Rs 12,000 Rs 9,000 O&M expenses (per kW) Rs 791.31 Rs 791.31 Tariff per unit (without subsidy) Rs 3.86 Rs 3.08 Tariff per unit (with subsidy) Rs 2.30 (1 kW-2kW) Rs 2.48 (2kW – 3 kW) Rs 2.93 (3 kW & above) ------ Source: KERC
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KERC allows installation of solar power projects in spaces other than rooftops
Do you want to install a solar power generation project in your building, but do not have space on your rooftop? You can now install solar power projects wherever there is space on your property as long as it can be done at a height of 8 feet (ground clearance). In a big push to decentralised solar projects, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), in an order issued on Wednesday, extended the net metering/gross metering arrangements provided to Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems to ground mounted solar projects with elevated structures, facade-integrated solar panels on the walls within the premises. The commission has also renamed SRTPV plants as Distributed Solar PV (DSPV) plants, which can be installed in places like car ports and cycle parking spaces on the premises. The solar panels themselves can also be used as roof/top of a structure without any base below it. 'Not every consumer will have space on the rooftop to set up solar panels. Now we have given them a provision to set it up anywhere according to the building bylaws. It will be treated the same way as rooftop solar projects, and what (power) they generate will be set off against what they are consuming,' P. Ravikumar, chairman, KERC, told The Hindu. Considering the growing demand for sustainable and clean energy, which has led to a significant focus on solar projects, the commission issued a discussion paper in March 2025 to seek the stakeholders' insights and recommendations for enhancing solar energy adoption. A public hearing on the matter was held on June 6. Taking into account the suggestions and recommendations, along with the fact that the State has an installed capacity of just 754.89 megawatts (MW) under SRTPV and 5666.22 MW under ground-mounted plants, the commission has brought in some changes to the existing regulations. Virtual and Group Net Metering The commission has also allowed Virtual Net Metering (VNM) and Group Net Metering (GNM) for the DSPV projects heeding to the demand of the stakeholders. 'Under VNM, a group of two or more consumers from the same consumer category can set up solar plants to offset the electricity consumption of more than one electricity service connection(s) of participating consumers located within the area of supply of an electricity supply company (escom). Domestic consumers, group housing societies, institutions run or managed by charitable Institutions/organisations, government buildings including schools, buildings belonging to local authorities shall only be eligible to install Solar plants under virtual net metering arrangements,' Mr. Ravikumar explained. He further explained that under GNM, a consumer can set up a DSPV project in any one of their installations, and the energy that is exported to the grid can be used to set off the electricity consumption of more than one connection under the same name. This is open to all categories of consumers. The minimum size of the plant under both VNM and GNM should be 5 kilowatts (KW). KERC has also eliminated the execution of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Domestic (LT) consumers up to 150 kW. 'In cases of shifting solar panels due to a change in the location of the consumer within the jurisdiction of the escom, the consumer is allowed to continue the same PPA for its remaining term.
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
PM Surya Ghar lights up over 23,000 homes in Andhra Pradesh
GUNTUR: Andhra Pradesh is steadily turning its rooftops into power hubs, with over 23,000 households now generating their own electricity under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Centre's flagship scheme, which aims to promote clean, affordable energy, is being implemented across the state by the three power distribution companies - AP Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL), AP Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL), and Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL). So far, more than 12 lakh applications have poured in, but only 22,822 rooftop solar installations have been completed, feeding over 79,000 kW of solar power into the grid. APEPDCL leads the tally with 10,584 installations, followed by APCPDCL with 7,984 installations and APSPDCL with 4,254 installations. Explaining how the scheme works, APCPDCL Deputy Executive Engineer Ratnakumari said that the electricity generated through Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems is fed directly into the state grid. The DISCOM adjusts this against the consumer's electricity bill. 'For example, if the solar system generates power worth Rs 80 and the household's total consumption is Rs 100, the consumer pays only Rs 20,' she said. Eligibility requires at least 100 square feet of rooftop space, and apartment complexes can also apply. The scheme offers up to 60% subsidy - Rs 30,000 for 1 kW systems, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW, with the typical installation cost ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
About 70% of PM Surya Ghar Yojana applicants under EPDCL limits generating power on their rooftops, says official
About 70% of the 14,312 genuine applicants of the PM Surya Ghar (PMSG) scheme under the Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Power Distribution Company of A.P. Limited (APEPDCL) are generating the electricity on their rooftops. Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems have been installed on their roof in 11 districts under the North Coastal Andhra Discom. Residential consumers can install SRTPV under the scheme. The electricity generated is directly supplied to the government power grid. The Discom adjusts the value of the electricity generated in the electricity bill of the scheme beneficiary. For example, if the value of the electricity generated is ₹60, but the beneficiary's electricity consumption is around ₹100. Then, the Discom charges only ₹40. If the beneficiary consumes more electricity than the electricity generated under the scheme, he or she will have to pay the electricity charges by deducting it from the value of the electricity generated. Beneficiaries of this scheme will get subsidies of up to 60% for installation of rooftop solar plants. For a 1 kilowatt (KW) capacity plant, consumers will get a subsidy of ₹30,000, an approximate total installation cost of which will be around ₹60,000 to ₹80,000. Similarly, for 2 KW capacity plants, the subsidy is ₹60,000 and for 3 KW plant, it is ₹78,000. As per data provided by APEPDCL, out of 81,980 applications registered till April 30, 2025, a total of 14,312 of them have paid the application fee and reached the installation stage. Out of these, 10,000 installations have been completed. 'The remaining applicants (4,300) are at various stages of installation and grounding. As on April 30, 2025, around 10,000 installations worth 33,555kW have been completed. We are getting good response from the public,' EPDCL CMD I. Pridvitej told The Hindu on Saturday (May 3). 'Except Alluri Sitharama Raju district where we have less than 10 scheme beneficiaries, other districts like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Srikakulam, Eluru, West Godavari and East Godavari have more than 1,000 installed units as on April 30,' he added. Meanwhile, a senior EPDCL official said that there is a big gap between the number of registered applications (81,000) and installations as many people are not taking up the project seriously. Many people apply randomly and don't think much about the installation. 'They register with their telephone number for login on the PMSG website. Of those, only 14,300 have paid the fee and approached us seriously,' the official said. To be eligible, consumers must have at least 100 sq ft of usable roof space. Apartment complexes can also participate. However, consumers present a different version of the story. 'Awareness camps' A consumer in PM Palem said, 'The authorities concerned should publicise the scheme and its benefits, especially in residential apartments. They can organise awareness camps in the apartments.' B. Ganesh, general secretary of the Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents Welfare Association (VARWA), said, 'The authorities concerned can visit the apartments to conduct awareness meetings to explain the scheme. I am not aware of the scheme till now.'
