Punjab on Wednesday claimed to achieve a new first by pioneering net-metering policy for installation of solar photovoltaic power plants.
“The net-metering policy would be applicable to all domestic, institutional, industrial, and commercial consumers of Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl),” said the State Revenue and Renewable Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.
He said that under the policy, which had been formulated by the Department of New and Renewable Energy and Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), all PSPCl consumers would have an option to install Solar Photovoltaic plants on their rooftop or vacant spaces in the capacity range of one KWp (kilowatt-peak) to 1000 KWp covering up to 80 per cent of their sanctioned load.
“Power generated from such solar plants would utilise existing service lines and consumers would be able to offset their power consumption from the grid by producing solar power which would be accounted through bi-directional meters to be installed by the PSPCl,” he said adding that the billing settlement period would be one year.
Majithia said the State Government had set a target of 100 mega watt (MW) under Net Metering Policy for the next one year which will help the State to meet peak load demand during the day when solar power generation will be available.
The scheme would be jointly implemented by the PSPCl and PEDA. A special publicity campaign would also be launched for consumers as to the procedure, technology and EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) companies which will be providing turnkey solutions for installation of solar power plants in market driven mode.
Majithia said that solar rooftop plants would serve dual purpose of taking pressure off the state electricity utility during peak load hours besides reducing power bills of the consumers. Around 30 per cent capital subsidy up to 500 KWp would be made available to eligible individuals by PEDA depending upon the availability of funds on a year to year basis.
“30 solar power projects having joint power generation capacity of 250 MW and investment of Rs 2500 crore would be commissioned by January 2015 and connected with the grid,” he said. He said that special emphasis would be given at setting up of de-centralized solar power plants at the institutions and industries.