Net-metering an emerging revolution in Indian
Every home can become a power plant
Net metering based rooftop solar projects facilitate the self-consumption of electricity generated by the rooftop installation and allows for feeding the surplus into the grid. Solar powered homes can now become generators of energy not only for their own consumption, but also for usage by other consumers. This is possible by connecting the solar panels installed to the local main grid where the excess units can be transmitted to other users.Net Metering is an electricity policy designed for users of roof-top based panels to self generates power for their own consumption primarily and thereafter allows their electric meters to run backwards and send the extra power generated back to the main grid.
Net metering allows the solar PV system owner to sell excess solar power generated to the utility company or buy deficit power from the utility company using a bi-directional meter to track this energy exchange.
Hence, it balances out the extra generation and deficit; for example, if in summer, solar power generates 150 units and load requirement is 100 units, then 50 units can be fed back to the grid. In winter, solar power generates only 120 units and load requirement is 150 units, then 30 units can be consumed from the grid.There are currently nine states (Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Delhi and Punjab) that have announced net-metering policies in India. Maharashtra’s Net metering policy is catching up with the fast moving policies of other states where Net metering is already set into practice and users are reaping benefits out of it .MERC
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (the nodal ministry of Government of India which looks after all the aspects related to development of new and renewable energy in India) has issued guidelines for promoting grid connectivity to Roof-Top solar systems through the system of Net Metering .The distribution licensee shall provide net metering arrangement to all eligible consumers as long as the cumulative capacity to be allowed for a particular distribution transformer shall not exceed 15% of the capacity of the distribution transformer.
Energy Accounting
Electricity generated from a solar rooftop system shall be capped cumulatively at 90% of the electricity consumption by the eligible consumer at the end of settlement period which shall be the relevant financial year.
Will a rooftop solar system save me money?
Of course, the answer depends on the type of connection, state and amount of usage. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
First, consider a small urban household that consumes 10 units (kWh) of electricity daily, with a 2 kW system installed on the roof. In 2015, this system would cost approximately INR 2 lakh to install. The lifetime of a typical solar system is 25 years. So, the system costs INR 8000 per year. A 2kW system should comfortably provide 8 units (kWh) of electricity per day. At INR 4 per unit, the monthly electricity bill goes from INR 1200 to INR 240, saving INR 11520 annually on electricity costs, and INR 3520 annually net of system cost.
If you were to use financing for a rooftop solar system, you would be saving money net of EMI within a few years. Shown below is a payoff curve (net of EMI) for a 10KW system in Bangalore, financed with a 5 year loan at 10.75% interest rate.
Oorjan Cleantech ( http://oorjan.com ), India’s first rooftop solar financing platform, can help you solve the capital cost hurdle. If you already have a price proposal and project design from an installer, send it to us for evaluation and financing. If you are just getting started, we can help you choose a highly rated local installer and obtain financing. Loan approvals for EMI schemes typically take 2-3 weeks, while pay-per-unit agreements take upto 6 weeks. We also provide a user-friendly app to monitor system performance once your project is installed, and provide periodic alerts. Contact us if you have always wanted to go solar, have questions and/or money was in the way!
How can you Install / start your Solar System Installation Company?
Institute of Solar Technology provide hands-on practical training from the basic level of electricity to solar power plant calculation, design, installation. For more detail visit http://istindia.org
Reference:
http://www.avenuemail.in/opinion/columns/net-metering-every-home-can-become-a-power-plant/81988/
http://www.supersmartenergy.com/net-metering-an-emerging-revolution-in-indian-solar-eco-system/
https://www.bijlibachao.com/solar/guest-post-financing-options-for-solar-rooftop-projects-in-india.html