The economics of rooftop solar has improved over the years. It is now cheaper to install rooftop solar systems in few parts not connected to grid. Given the scarcity of land, improving technology and reducing the cost of installing solar, many people and institutions are installing solar power systems on the rooftops. One of the major attractive propositions of installing a rooftop solar system in your establishment is the availability of credits in one’s electricity bill. In order to claim the credit, installers need to have a net meter installed at their place which keeps a tab of power that was sent back to the grid. It is one of the major pre-requisites for claiming a rebate on the electricity bill.
As convenient as it sounds, the entire process could be a bit daunting for a newbie in the solar industry. The process of installing net meters involves certain procedures including reports, documentation, etc. The implementation of net metering policy in India has been process oriented as the DISCOM gives more focus on safety precautions for everyone. Each state’s DISCOM has a different net metering policy. The net metering policy in India is facing many challenges currently but it will be simple in future. Lengthy clearance and approval processes being the major ones. Solar installers face long approval processes which can last anywhere between 3-6 months.
Checklist for Net Metering Approvals
When JE comes for site inspection for net metering, he/she checks the following parameters before approving the net meter.
| Si. No. | Parameters to be Checked | Sub-parameters |
| 1 | Solar PV Modules | Make – Rating/Qty – 375WP/14No. of Input Strings – 14No. of Modules in one string – 14 |
| 2 | Solar PV Inverter | Make – ENPHASEInverter Model Number – ENPHASE IQ7+Rating / Qty – 290 VA / 14MPPT DC voltage range – 290 VA / 14Output supply type – 220VNo. of Termination points – stringCross selection of cable – 2c x sq.mm.Installation provision – yes |
| 3 | Earthing Type | PV Panel – yesPV Inverter – noLighting Arrester – yes |
| 4 | Protection | AC Breaker – InstalledDC Breaker – InstalledLighting Arrester – Installer |
| 5 | Meter Installation | Space for Net Metering – ProvidedSpace for Solar Meter – ProvidedEarthing Leakage Device Installed – InstalledExisting Cable Size – 2cx10 sq.mm.New Cable Size/length (if required) -Required Net Meter type/Qty – 3/1Required Solar meter type/Qty- na |
What is net metering ?
Net metering is a kind of meter that is used for the import and export of unit by an electricity company. This device help in measuring unit to generate electricity bills.
What is benefits of net metering?
You can export your solar generation to discoms when you have no use of electricity and later on during the night or other time you can take it back, so you don’t need pay any extra electricity bill if you don’t import excess electricity than export from discoms.
Why it takes so much time to get new metering after application submission?
Its very simple, currently discoms are charging high rate approx. rs. 7 per unit for residential homes whereas the cost of solar generation is much cheaper approx. rs. 2.99 per unit. So discoms don’t want to loose their money from existing homeowners. Besides, there are some jr. engineer who delay this process by finding some faults in the installation process or document compliances.
Some of the states such as Gujarat and Rajasthan have made favourable policy so it takes lesser time in net metering process, usually around 10-15 days.
Why electricity bill is increased when net meter is installed ?
What happens when you install net metering after that it should also incorporate in electricity bills. It means exported unit should be visible in bills so at many places this complain raised that export unit are not visible in bills so your bill not reduced so after some initial complaint its adjusted and your billing amount gets reduced, later on its corrected for lifetime.
Has any one benefited from net meter?
Absolutely yes, there are many such customer who adopted this on grid solution with net metering and finally they are so happy as they have successfully reduced their electricity bill to almost 0. One of them customer is …..from
What is net metering policy in each state?
So some of the states of have adopted gross meter policy, it means you generate solar electricity and if you export to discoms you are paid at approx. rs. 2 to 3 per unit. So where gross metering policy is adopted, you should install as much you needed otherwise you won’t get much benefited.
How much cost in net metering installations?
Usually it cost in between rs. 10,000 to rs. 15,000 including testing and installations but some states may charge little more.
What is process of net metering installations?
Broadly net metering installation is same across all states but some state/UT may differ so you must visit to your block/divisional office to get more details.
Step 1: Fill the form (online/offline) to apply for net metering and submit divisional officer
Step 2: Jr. Engineer will visit the site and after inspection he will provide confirmation to install the solar system
Step 3: Once solar system is installed, Submit required documents such as
- Net metering fee
- Property paper
- Solar system certifications
- Installation certificate from installer
Step 4: Again Jr. Engineer visit your site to audit proper installation, if all compliance are met they will issue net metering and also will install at your premises. (In some states you can buy net metering from out side market from authorized company and after testing of this net metering you can install it.)
Terms & Conditions:
- Property should be in your name
- Installation capacity should not be greater than sanction load, if in any case sanction load is lower then you must apply to increase the sanction load.
- you must have solar panel, inverter and earthing data sheet and test report
- Arrange certificate of installation from Installer/system integrator
- Solar panel, inverter, earthing and ACDB/DCDB should be installed as per MNRE guidelines
