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According to foreign media reports, India's Ministry of Electricity proposed to amend the Electricity (Consumer Rights) Rules 2023 to accelerate the installation of residential rooftop photovoltaic systems in the country.
The proposed amendments, once implemented, will guide India's state-owned electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) to expedite the application process for the installation of rooftop PV systems, metering set-ups, and the duration of the feasibility study.
Stakeholders have until January 12, 2024 to submit comments.
Publish new connections and modify existing connections
Upon receipt of a complete and accurate application, the State-owned Electricity Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) must establish a new connection or modify an existing connection within 3 days in the metropolitan area, 7 days in other urban areas and 15 days in rural areas.
In cases where there is a need to extend the power supply of the distribution trunk or commission the power supply of a new substation, the State-owned Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) must supply the power in a timely manner after the completion of such work or within the stipulated time.
The State-owned Electricity Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) is required to provide personal electrical connections to the owners or occupants of houses within housing associations, housing complexes, resident welfare associations or similar registered bodies. The state committees are required to make the relevant provisions within six months of receiving this notice.
If a registry supplies electricity through a single point connection, the tariff they levy may not exceed the retail tariff set by the respective commission for that consumer category.
In the case of a single point of connection, these registries may charge additional fees, including the cost of supplying electricity from the single point connection to individual consumers, to be determined by the relevant committee within six months of the issuance of these rules.
The State-Owned Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) is required to provide a separate connection for the EV charging system when requested by an individual consumer or a registration authority.
Electricity metering
India's state-owned electricity distribution company (DISCOM) is required to conduct meter testing within 30 days of receiving consumer complaints about metering discrepancies, meter downtime, seal damage, combustion, or other issues designated by the Commission.
If consumers report meter readings that are inconsistent with their electricity consumption, India's state-owned electricity distribution company (DISCOM) must install additional meters within three days of receiving the complaint. The installation of additional meters is for the purpose of verifying electricity consumption for a period of time (not less than three months) specified by the Commission.
Consumers as producers
The State-owned Electricity Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) is required to complete the technical feasibility study of the rooftop PV system within a stipulated time frame of not more than 15 days and inform the applicant of the results of the study. Rooftop PV systems with an installed capacity of less than 10kW do not require a technical feasibility study.
However, the appropriate committee has the power to set a higher limit for this exemption on the installed capacity of rooftop PV systems exceeding 10kw.
If the technical feasibility study shows that the distribution infrastructure, including distribution transformers, of rooftop PV systems needs to be strengthened within the above-mentioned capacity constraints, the State-owned Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM) must install the distribution infrastructure and the associated costs are included in its revenue requirements. If the applicant is not notified of the results of the technical feasibility study within the prescribed time limit, the scheme shall be presumed to be technically feasible.
After installing a rooftop PV system, consumers must submit an installation certificate to the State-owned Distribution Corporation of India (DISCOM). The State-owned Electricity Distribution Company of India (DISCOM) must then complete the connection agreement, install the instrumentation, and ensure the successful commissioning of the PV system within 15 days of submitting the installation certificate.
The Indian State-owned Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOM) portal** should have the format of the contract agreement and installation certificate.
In June this year, India's Ministry of Electricity amended the Electricity (Consumer Rights) Rules, directing state committees to ensure that electricity prices for PV must be more than 20% lower than the normal electricity prices for all consumer categories except agricultural consumers.
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