Despite the Net Metering Regulations and the Delhi government coming up with a solar policy for the city, Delhiites are still unable to make green energy a part of their daily lives.
Statistics corroborate this fact as a mere 7 megawatt (MW) of the peak power consumption demand of about 5,800 (MW) is met through solar power. In this too, the total contribution of ‘households’ towards green energy is barely 1 MW.
The reasons, according to the government, are many. First, many people are unaware of the concept. Second, several interested domestic consumers do now know how to go about the process, and third, many who cross these two stages end up giving up on the proposition because the capital cost is still considerably expensive.
In a bid to streamline the process of getting a solar power generation system installed, the Delhi government is planning to release a list of empanelled companies from whom people can buy solar photo-voltaic panels and get these installed on roof-tops. Experts suggest that a grid-connected solar system should be preferred over an off-grid system as it is not only cheaper by about Rs. 20,000, but can also help the consumer earn by selling surplus power to the grid.
A basic household would need a five kW solar system, which can run one geyser, one AC, three fans, three lights and two room heaters.
Explaining the procedure to get a grid-connected solar system installed, JP Singh, a member of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), said, “First, an application must be submitted to the discom, which will then conduct a feasibility analysis. If the area is found to be feasible, the applicant must submit the completed registration form to avail the Net Metre. The solar system will have to be purchased and installed by the applicant from a company of their preference.”
Gauging the lack of interest among domestic consumers, the government is also tweaking its policy to provide ease to private companies for third party ownership of solar projects. The concept of Virtual Net Metering has also been introduced for this purpose.
“Even though the price of solar power has fallen from Rs. 13 per unit to a little over Rs. 5.6 to Rs. 6 per unit, it is not attracting domestic consumers because power cuts have actually reduced in the Capital. People consider it as an added investment. Maintenance is also a concern. So, the plan is to ask companies to take up multiple roofs on which they would build, operate and maintain solar plants,” said Delhi Power Secretary Sukesh Kumar Jain.
The virtual net metering clause in the draft policy is expected to enable every resident in Delhi with a shared rooftop to produce solar energy. Further, the DERC is likely to come up with amendments to the Net Metering Regulations, 2014, to include the clause of Virtual Net Metering within a month.
The upcoming solar policy of the government will also offer a generation- based incentive of Rs. 2 per every unit of solar energy for three years to households. Not just that, electricity tax will also be exempted for those who generate solar power. VAT shall be waived off on all solar plant components, including solar panels and solar inverters, for five years.
The Delhi government aims to generate 1,000 MW of solar power by the year 2020 and 2,000 MW by the year 2025.