Jaipur, December 06, 2024.
People without rooftops or suitable spaces of their own can now access solar power. The Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, introduced last week, makes provisions for virtual net metering and gross net metering.
Virtual net metering allows multiple consumers operating in the same licence area to set up collective solar power systems and draw individually.
Gross metering caters to a single consumer who sets up a plant at one location and uses the power at multiple locations.
The policy says appropriate provisions will be made in the urban building bylaws to promote and facilitate the use and installation of solar rooftop systems.
Anshuman Gothwal of the Centre for Energy, Environment and People (CEEP) said, “Virtual net metering and gross net metering in Rajasthan is a welcome step, enabling multiple users to share the benefits of a single solar power system, making it more accessible and available to consumers.”
However, Gothwal mentioned that the promotion of solar rooftops also needs to balance the interests of discoms and the long-term sustainability of the sectors. “Under the current net metering regime, for every unit of solar electricity generated, discoms fail to recover their fixed costs, which range from Rs 2.1-3.45 per unit depending on the consumer categories. The electricity regulator should also address the issue to prevent unfair socialisation of costs,” added Gothwal.
Currently, virtual net metering is available in Delhi, while electricity regulators in Odisha and Maharashtra have made provisions to implement the mechanism in these states.
President of Rajasthan Solar Association, Sunil Bansal, said, “The policy has set ambitious targets, and provided incentives for storage and green hydrogen.”
Bansal said the framework addresses the needs of industries by ensuring efficient energy solutions, streamlined processes, and future-ready infrastructure
