UPERC prepares draft rules on rooftop solar power

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has come out with a draft of the ‘Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive System Gross/Net Metering Regulations, 2019 (RPSV Regulations, 2019).’

Among other things, the draft proposes introduction of blockchain technology in the sale and purchase of electricity.

“To provide flexibility to rooftop solar power consumer, taking a progressive view, the commission is proposing provision of mutual sale and purchase of electricity through peer-to-peer transaction in a secured and reliable way with proper accounting and billing mechanism implemented with the help of blockchain technology,” the draft regulations say.

These regulations will apply to the distribution licensees, the eligible consumers of the distribution licensees and third party owners of gross metering arrangement of rooftop solar PV system in the state.

The eligible consumer may install the rooftop solar PV system under either gross metering arrangement or net metering arrangement.

Consumers will be eligible for selling additional solar power generated by them to the licencee through net metering.

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has invited comments from the stakeholders to the proposals by the end of November.