The Hindu (Kozhikode)

KSERC relaxes provisions for smooth implementa­tion of agricultur­e pump ‘solarisati­on’

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The Kerala State Electricit­y Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has relaxed the provisions for ensuring the smooth implementa­tion of the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri - Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme aimed at the ‘solarisati­on’ of agricultur­e pumps.

The relaxation in the commission’s Renewable Energy and Net Metering Regulation­s applies to Individual Pump Solarisati­on (IPS) under Component-C of PM-KUSUM, which beneŒts individual farmers who own grid-connected agricultur­e pumps.

Charges waived

It allows solar panels under PM-KUSUM to be installed atop residentia­l rooftops of registered agricultur­al consumers on the condition that the solar generation and agricultur­al connection­s are properly metered. Transmissi­on and wheeling charges and charges related to open access too have been waived as a special case.

PM-KUSUM required solar panels to be deployed in a shade-free area within 15 metres of the pump house where the agricultur­al

The relaxation in norms will benefit individual farmers who own grid-connected agricultur­e pumps.

pump is located. In Kerala where farm holdings are small in size, the farmers live on the premises and ideal locations are usually the rooftop of their residences. In such cases, the domestic and agricultur­e connection­s are registered under the same name and no physical barrier exists between the residence and the farming area where the pump house sits.

In March, the Kerala State Electricit­y Board (KSEB) informed the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology

(Anert), the implementi­ng agency for PMKUSUM, that grid connectivi­ty for such rooftop plants through the net meter of the agricultur­e connection­s cannot be permitted as it could violate the Electricit­y Supply Code and the Net Metering Regulation­s.

But the commission has now taken the stand that solarisati­on of pump sets is “a win-win situation” for the KSEB and consumers. The KSEB beneŒts from non-drawal of grid power by the highly-subsidised agricultur­al consumers, while the latter gains an additional income source from the surplus power exported to the grid.

PM-KUSUM targets solarisati­on of pumps operated on the KSEB’s LT-5A (free) tari—. The farmer uses the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and sells the excess solar power to the grid. The Kerala government intends to solarise at least one lakh pumps. At present, the electricit­y bills of more than 2.65 lakh freetari— agricultur­e pumps are being paid by the State Agricultur­e department to the KSEB at ₹2.3 per unit. On its side, the KSEB incurs an average cost of supply of ₹7.32 per unit.

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