Draft RERC rooftop norms shrinking govt policy space

01 Nov 2022

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd (RRECL) has written to the energy department on how the draft norms of Rajasthan Energy Regulatory Commission (RERC) are not only going to hurt rooftop solar but also put at the risk the sanctity of government policy. In the solar policy, the government made several measures to help it reach 1,000 MW rooftop target. But the draft norms of RERC have withdrawn many of them.
They have written a letter but did not disclose the contents. When asked about the RERC proposing to remove all rooftop projects barring domestic segment from net metering ambit, he said there are provisions in the Electricity Act 2003 that safeguards the policy measures.
The solar policy was approved by the government. So the provisions in it enjoy the highest level of sanctity. Under the Electricity Act 2003, the state has the power to frame policy keeping in view the larger interest of the public. That’s why the rules cannot be changed unless the government itself does it,” said Agarwal.In the solar policy, benefits like banking facility and payment of surplus energy by discoms under net metering scheme as applicable to domestic consumers is also applicable to projects on government offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc. But the RERC proposals have made only domestic consumers eligible and putting all other kinds of projects in gross billing category.