CHANGES IN ELECTRICITY RULES: BOOST TO ROOFTOP SOLAR POWER
- Recently, the Ministry of Power announced amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020.
- Objective: To expedite the installation of rooftop solar projects and enhance consumer empowerment in electricity matters.
- Simplifying Rooftop Solar Installation
- Earlier, DISCOMs were required to conduct a feasibility study for rooftop solar projects, causing delays.
- A technical feasibility study determines whether a property is physically and financially suitable for the installation of solar panels.
- The amendments have now shortened the time frame for this study from 20 to 15 days.
- If the study isn't completed within this period, the proposal is presumed technically feasible.
- Now, solar PV systems up to a capacity of 10 kilowatts shall be deemed accepted without a feasibility study.
- Additionally, DISCOMs are mandated to bear costs for strengthening distribution infrastructure for rooftop solar projects up to 5 kilowatts capacity.
- Lastly, the timeline between the installation and the commissioning of rooftop solar projects has been reduced from 30 days to 15 days.
- Consumer Empowerment in Residential Societies
- Residents in residential societies can now opt for individual connections or a single-point connection through a transparent ballot to be held by the distribution licensee.
- If more than 50% of owners opt for individual connections, they will be provided individually, otherwise, a single-point connection is provided.
- DISCOMs are responsible for metering, billing, and collection in case of individual connections, while residential associations handle these tasks for single-point connections.
- Further, DISCOMs are required to install an additional meter in case a consumer complains of meter readings not reflecting actual consumption.
- The additional meter, to be installed within five days of the complaint being received, shall be used to verify the complaint for a minimum period of three months.
- If the meter is found to be inaccurate, the excess or deficit charges shall be adjusted in the subsequent bills, as per existing rules.
- Expedited New Connections
- The timeframes for obtaining new electricity connections or modifying existing ones are significantly reduced from
- 7 to 3 days in metropolitan areas
- 15 to 7 days in other municipal areas
- 30 to 15 days in rural areas
- In rural areas with hilly terrain, however, the period will continue to remain 30 days.
- Additionally, DISCOMs are required to provide a separate connection for an electric vehicle (EV) charging point, if requested by a consumer within the revised period.