BERPatna : The Bihar Energy Department has requested the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) to make provisions allowing consumers to receive financial benefits for surplus electricity generated through rooftop solar plants.
Under the existing net metering system, electricity generated by a solar plant installed at a consumer’s home is first used to meet household requirements. Any surplus electricity is supplied to the electricity grid and adjusted against the consumer’s monthly electricity bill.
If the solar plant generates more electricity than the consumer uses in a particular month, the surplus is carried forward and adjusted against consumption in subsequent months.
Proposal To Pay For Year-End Surplus Solar Power
Under the existing system, any surplus electricity remaining in a consumer’s account at the end of the financial year expires.
To change this, the Energy Department has asked BERC to introduce a provision under which the surplus electricity remaining at the end of the financial year would be purchased by the Energy Department.
This would allow consumers to receive financial benefits for additional electricity generated by their rooftop solar plants instead of losing the unused surplus at the end of the year.
The department said the proposal would also ensure that consumers who have already installed solar systems receive appropriate benefits for the excess electricity they generate.
Move Aimed At Boosting Rooftop Solar
The proposed provision is intended to encourage more people to install rooftop solar systems at their homes.
According to the Energy Department, allowing consumers to receive benefits for surplus electricity could make rooftop solar more attractive while helping increase the use of clean and renewable energy across Bihar.
The proposal is also linked to the objectives of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which promotes rooftop solar installations among households.
Farmers Already Selling Solar Power Under PM-KUSUM
The Energy Department also highlighted the role of the PM-KUSUM scheme in expanding solar power generation among farmers.
Under the scheme, farmers can install solar plants and generate electricity, which is purchased by the Energy Department. This gives farmers an opportunity to install solar plants on their land and earn income by selling the electricity generated.
The department said the initiative is also contributing to an increase in clean and renewable energy generation in Bihar.
Support For Solar Installation And Grid Integration
The Energy Department said it is making efforts to provide necessary support to consumers, farmers and companies involved in installing solar plants.
Assistance is being provided at various stages, including installation of solar plants, integration with the electricity grid and completion of related procedures.
The department said its objective is to maximise the benefits available to consumers and farmers adopting solar energy and accelerate the expansion of renewable energy across Bihar.
If approved by BERC, the proposed provision would give rooftop solar consumers a financial benefit for surplus electricity remaining at the end of the financial year, while providing an additional incentive for households to adopt solar power.
