Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a half day training on Net Metering for the engineers of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam ltd (JBVNl) at Capitol Hill Hotel, Ranchi on Friday.
Net Metering is a mechanism primarily aimed at providing an opportunity to grid connected solar rooftop consumers to offset their electricity bills. Net metering allows the solar PV system owner to sell surplus solar energy to the Distribution Company (DISCOM), also called as export or buy deficit energy from the DISCOM when the sun is not shining, also known as imports using a ‘net or bidirectional meter to track the energy exchange. Since the solar rooftop consumer is charged for the net energy consumed from the utility grid, the consumer gets financial benefits and so net metering connection which falls under the purview of DISCOM is critical to accelerate the adoption of solar rooftop across Jharkhand.
During the event, Dhanesh Jha, GM, Area Works, JBVNl stated that Jharkhand has tremendous opportunities for scaling up solar and all consumers in the state will benefit significantly with large scale adoption of solar rooftop. Shri Rishi Nandan, Superintendent Engineer (Commercial and Revenue), JBVNl mentioned that targeted trainings for circle level engineers are critical to promote solar rooftop across the State.
Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems and Net/Gross Metering) Regulations, 2015 and the subsequent guidelines issued by JBVNl provides the necessary framework for implementation of net meters in Jharkhand. The half day training designed for utility engineers from Ranchi and adjoining circles provided an in-depth knowledge on the various aspects of State Solar Policy, Net/Gross Metering Regulations and Business Models, Solar PV Rooftop Systems Design and Safety Overview, Administrative Procedures for Implementing Rooftop Projects, approval procedures for Jharkhand, Commercial/Energy settlement aspects, Meter recording parameters, Grid Connectivity & Inspection Procedure, Interconnection parameters, various components and safety checklist, etc. The training aimed to increase the awareness, enhance technical know-how and improve capacity building of the utility engineers to accelerate the deployment of solar rooftop in Jharkhand. Training was provided by the technical experts from Gujarat Energy Research Management Institute (GERMI) who has significant experience with similar trainings with other DISCOMS in the country.