## Report on the Electricity Rights of Consumers Amendment Rules, 2021
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Electricity Rights of Consumers Amendment Rules, 2021, which amends the Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020. The core purpose of this amendment is to introduce and define various metering mechanisms for grid-interactive rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, specifically focusing on "grossmetering," "netbilling" (or "net feed-in"), and "netmetering." The key findings indicate a shift towards enabling prosumers (consumers who also generate electricity) to integrate solar energy into the grid with more defined frameworks for billing and compensation. This allows for different arrangements based on State Commission regulations.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an overview and analysis of the Electricity Rights of Consumers Amendment Rules, 2021, based solely on the provided policy text. The purpose is to inform stakeholders, particularly those in the electricity industry, about the changes introduced by this amendment and its potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This is an amendment to the Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020.
* The core objectives, as inferred from the provided text, are to:
* Define and regulate different metering mechanisms for solar energy generated by prosumers.
* Provide options for prosumers to either consume their generated solar energy or sell it back to the grid.
* Establish a framework for compensating prosumers for solar energy fed into the grid.
* Empower State Commissions to regulate these mechanisms within their jurisdictions.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment likely aims to clarify and enhance the integration of rooftop solar PV systems into the electricity grid. The original Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020, perhaps lacked specific details regarding different metering and billing approaches for prosumers. The introduction of "grossmetering," "netbilling," and "netmetering" suggests a need to provide more granular options for prosumers and to ensure fair compensation for the solar energy they contribute to the grid. The amendment addresses the need to manage energy flow better, encourage solar adoption, and provide a standardized approach to metering and billing.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment introduces key changes related to metering and billing for prosumers with grid-interactive rooftop solar PV systems. Specifically:
* **Amendment to Rule 2, Sub-rule 1:**
* **Change:** Insertion of new clauses defining "grossmetering," "netbilling" (or "net feed-in"), and "netmetering."
* **New Rule (Grossmetering):** "Grossmetering" is defined as a mechanism where total solar energy generated and total energy consumed are separately accounted for. The prosumer pays the retail tariff for consumption, and receives a feed-in tariff (determined by the Commission) for the solar energy generated.
* **New Rule (Netbilling or Net Feed-in):** "Netbilling" or "net feed-in" uses a bidirectional meter. Energy imported from the grid is valued at the applicable retail tariff, and energy exported from the solar PV system is valued at a feed-in tariff determined by the Commission. The difference between these values determines the net amount billed or credited.
* **New Rule (Netmetering):** "Netmetering" is defined as a mechanism where the amount of solar energy exported to the grid is deducted (in kWh) from the energy imported from the grid. The net import or export is billed, credited, or carried over at the applicable retail tariff.
* **Effect:** These definitions provide a clear understanding of the different approaches to measuring and compensating prosumers for their solar energy generation. They offer different ways to account for energy exchange, potentially appealing to different consumer preferences and grid management needs.
* **Amendment to Rule 11:**
* **Change:** Substitution of Sub-rule 4 and Sub-rule 13.
* **New Rule (Sub-rule 4):** The arrangements for netmetering, grossmetering, netbilling or net feedin shall be in accordance with the regulations made by the State Commission, from time to time:
* **Effect:** Empowering State Commissions to define the specific arrangements for the different metering mechanisms. This allows for flexibility based on regional needs and grid conditions. It does provide fallback for net metering for loads up to five hundred Kilowatt or up to the sanctioned load, whichever is lower, where state regulations does not provide for netmetering, netbilling or net feedin.
* **New Rule (Sub-rule 13):** The solar energy generated by prosumer shall be adjusted against energy consumed and bill amount as per regulations made by the Commission for Grid Interactive rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system.
* **Effect:** Commission is responsible for regulating how prosumer generated solar energy is adjusted.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the text, the directly affected stakeholders include:
* **Prosumers:** Consumers who generate solar energy using grid-interactive rooftop solar PV systems.
* **Distribution Licensees (Discoms):** The entities responsible for distributing electricity and managing the grid.
* **State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs):** The bodies responsible for regulating the electricity sector at the state level.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) are primarily responsible for implementing and regulating the new metering mechanisms. Distribution licensees (Discoms) will be responsible for installing and managing the metering infrastructure and billing processes.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendment comes into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (June 29, 2021, according to the text). The specific procedures and timelines for implementing the new metering mechanisms will be determined by the respective State Commissions.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes are:
* **Increased adoption of rooftop solar PV systems:** Clear definitions and frameworks for different metering and billing options may incentivize more consumers to invest in solar energy generation.
* **Improved grid management:** By differentiating between grossmetering, netbilling, and netmetering, Discoms can better manage the flow of energy from prosumers and optimize grid operations.
* **Fairer compensation for prosumers:** The introduction of feed-in tariffs ensures that prosumers are appropriately compensated for the solar energy they contribute to the grid.
* **Greater regulatory clarity:** The amendment provides a more detailed framework for regulating prosumer solar energy, which should reduce ambiguity and promote consistency across different states.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Electricity Rights of Consumers Amendment Rules, 2021, represents a significant step towards integrating rooftop solar PV systems into the electricity grid in a structured and regulated manner. The amendment provides clear definitions for different metering mechanisms and empowers State Commissions to tailor their implementation to local conditions. This amendment will affect prosumers, Discoms, and SERCs by providing framework for more efficient solar energy integration.
Key Entities Referenced
Electricity Act, 2003: Act 36 of 2003. This act confers powers to the Central Government to make rules regarding electricity.
Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020: The rules being amended by this notification.
Electricity Rights of Consumers Amendment Rules, 2021: The title of the amendment rules introduced by this notification.
Official Gazette: The official publication in which the amendment rules are published.
grossmetering: A mechanism for separately accounting solar energy generated and energy consumed by a Prosumer using Grid Interactive rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system.
Grid Interactive rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system: A solar energy generation system installed on rooftops that is connected to the electrical grid.
Prosumer: An entity that both produces and consumes electricity.
Commission: The entity determining feed-in tariffs and regulating net metering, net billing, and net feed-in. Likely refers to a State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC).
netbilling: A system using a bidirectional meter where energy imported and exported from the Grid Interactive rooftop Solar photovoltaic system are valued at different tariffs.
net feedin: A system using a bidirectional meter where energy imported and exported from the Grid Interactive rooftop Solar photovoltaic system are valued at different tariffs.
netmetering: A system where solar energy exported to the grid is deducted from energy imported from the grid to determine net energy usage.
State Commission: The regulatory body at the state level responsible for making regulations regarding net metering, gross metering, net billing, or net feed-in.
Discoms: Distribution companies. They are involved in demand response related to energy storage and grid interaction.
Ghanshyam Prasad: Joint Secretary. Signatory of the notification.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi: Place where document was printed.
Controller of Publications, Delhi: Publisher of the document.
Ministry of Power: The government ministry responsible for this notification.
New Delhi: Location of the Ministry of Power. Likely New Delhi, Delhi.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-29062021-227983
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-29062021-227983
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 360] नई दिल्ली, मगं लिार, िनू 29, 2021/आषाढ़ 8, 1943
No. 360] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021/ASHADHA 8, 1943
जिद्यतु मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 28 िून, 2021
सा.का.जन. 448 (अ).—केंद्रीय सरकार, जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 (2003 का 36) की धारा 176 की उप-धारा (2) के खंड
(य) के साथ पठित उप-धारा (1) द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, जिद्युत (उपभोिा अजधकार) जनयम, 2020 में संिोधन करने
के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जनयम बनाती ह,ै अथाात्-
1. (1) इन जनयमों का संजिप्त नाम जिद्युत (उपभोिा अजधकार) संिोधन जनयम, 2021 ह।ै
(2) ये रािपत्र में इनके प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रिृत्त होंगे।
2. जिद्युत (उपभोिा अजधकार) जनयम, 2020 (जिन्ह ें इसमें इसके पश्चात् उि जनयम कहा गया ह)ै के जनयम 2, उप जनयम (1)
म:ें
(क) खण्ड (झ) के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत खण्ड अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा अथाात्:-
‘(झक) "सकल-मीटररंग" से एक ऐसा तंत्र, जिसके द्वारा प्रोज्यूमर की जिड इंटरेजटटि रूफ टॉप सोलर फोटोिाजल्टक प्रणाली से
उत्पादित कुल सौर ऊिाा और प्रोज्यूमर द्वारा खपत की गई कुल ऊिाा की गणना उजचत मीटररंग व्यिस्ट्था के माध्यम स ेअलग-
अलग की िाती ह,ै और जबललंग के प्रयोिन के जलए, प्रोज्यूमर द्वारा खपत की गई कुल ऊिाा की गणना लागू खुिरा टैठरफ पर
की िाती ह ैऔर उत्पादित कुल सौर ऊिाा की गणना आयोग द्वारा जनधााठरत फीड-इन टैठरफ पर की िाती ह,ै अजभप्रेत है;’;
(ख) खण्ड (ञ) के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत खण्ड अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा अथाात:्-
3591 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
‘(ञक) "जनिल-जबललगं अथिा जनिल फीड-इन" सेआपूर्ता स्ट्थल पर जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन के जलए प्रयोग
दकया गया एकल जद्वदििात्मक ऊिाा मीटर अजभप्रेत ह ैजिसमें जिड से आयाजतत ऊिाा और प्रोज्यूमर की जिड इंटरेजटटि रूफ
टॉप सोलर फोटोिाजल्टक प्रणाली से जनयााजतत ऊिाा का मूल्यांकन िो अलग-अलग टैठरफों पर दकया िाता ह,ै िहां-
(i) आयाजतत ऊिाा का आर्थाक मूल्य लागू खुिरा टैठरफ पर आधाठरत होता है;
(ii) जनयााजतत सौर ऊिाा का आर्थाक मूल्य आयोग द्वारा जनधााठरत फीड-इन टैठरफ पर आधाठरत होता है;
(iii) जबल की िाने िाली जनिल धनराजि (अथिा िमा की गई/अिेनीत की गई) की गणना के जलए जनयााजतत ऊिाा के
आर्थाक मूल्य को आयाजतत ऊिाा के आर्थाक मूल्य में से घटा दिया िाता है;
(ञख) "जनिल-मीटररंग" से एक ऐसा तंत्र, जिसमें आपूर्ता स्ट्थल पर जनिल-मीटररंग के जलए एकल जद्वदििात्मक ऊिाा मीटर का
प्रयोग करके जनिल आयाजतत अथिा जनयााजतत ऊिाा की गणना के जलए प्रोज्यूमर की जिड इंटरेजटटि रूफटॉप सोलर
फोटोिाजल्टक प्रणाली से जिड को जनयाात की गई सौर ऊिाा को जिड से आयात की गई ऊिाा में से यूजनटों (केडब्लल्यूएच) में घटा
दिया िाता ह ैऔर जनिल ऊिाा आयात अथिा जनयाात का अनुप्रयोज्य खुिरा टैठरफ के आधार पर जितरण अनुज्ञजप्तधारी द्वारा
जबलदकया िाता ह ैअथिा िमा दकया िाता ह ैअथिा अिेनीत दकया िाता ह,ै अजभप्रेत है;’।
3. उि जनयम में, जनयम 11 में,-
(क) उप जनयम (4) के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत उप जनयम रखा िाएगा, अथाात्:-
"(4) जनिल-मीटररंग, सकल मीटररंग, जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन के जलए व्यिस्ट्थाएं समय-समय पर राज्य आयोग
द्वारा बनाए गए जिजनयमों के अनसु ार होंगी।
परंतु िहां जनिल-मीटररंग, जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन के जलए जिजनयमों का प्रािधान नहीं ह,ै आयोग पांच सौ
दकलोिाट भार अथिा स्ट्िीकृत भार तक के जलए, िो भी कम हो, प्रोज्यूमर को जनिल-मीटररंग की और अन्य भारों के जलए
जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन की अनुमजत िगेाः
परंतु यह और भी दक प्रोज्यूमरों द्वारा जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन का लाभ उिाने के मामले में, आयोग टाइम-ऑफ-
ि-डे प्रिर्तात करेंगे जिसके द्वारा प्रोज्यूमर भंडाठरत सौर ऊिाा का उनके द्वारा उपयोग करने के जलए ऊिाा भंडार स्ट्थाजपत करने
अथिा व्यस्ट्ततम मांग के घंटों के िौरान जिड में फीड करने के जलए प्रोत्साजहत होंगे, इस प्रकार जडस्ट्कॉमों के मांग के प्रत्युत्तर में
सह-भागीिारी करते हुए जिड की सहायता की िा सकेगी।
परंतु यह भी दक जनिल-मीटररंग अथिा जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन के मामले में, जितरण अनुज्ञजप्तधारी
निीकरणीय ऊिाा क्रय िाजयत्ि साख, यदि कोई हो, के प्रयोिनाथा जिड इंटरेजटटि रूफ टॉप सोलर फोटोिाजल्टक प्रणाली स े
उत्पादित सकल सौर ऊिाा को मापने के जलए सौर ऊिाा मीटर स्ट्थाजपत करेगा।
परंतु यह भी दक आयोग ऐसे प्रोज्यूमरों, िो जनिल-मीटररंग, जनिल-जबललंग अथिा जनिल फीड-इन का लाभ उिाने के बिाए
पूणा उत्पादित सौर ऊिाा को जितरण अनुज्ञजप्तधारी को बेचना चाहते ह,ैं जनिल-मीटररंग की अनुमजत िगेंे और आयोग इस
प्रयोिन के जलए टैठरफ जिजनयमों के अनुसार सकल-मीटररंग के जलए सामान्य टैठरफ जनधााठरत करेगा।"
(ख) उप-जनयम (13)के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत उप जनयम रखा िाएगा अथाात्:
“(13) प्रोज्यूमर द्वारा उत्पादित सौर ऊिाा को जिड इंटरेजटटि रूफ टॉप सोलर फोटोिाजल्टक प्रणाली के जलए आयोग द्वारा
बनाए गए जिजनयमों के अनुसार खपत की गई ऊिाा और जबल राजि के सापेि समायोजित दकया िाएगा।”
[फा. सं. 23/05/2020-आरएंडआर]
घनश्याम प्रसाि, संयुि सजचि
ठटप्पणः मूल जनयम भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण अजधसूचना सख्ं या सा.का.जन. 818(अ) द्वारा तारीख 31 दिसम्बर, 2020 में
प्रकाजित दकए गए थे।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF POWER
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 28th June, 2021
G.S.R. 448 (E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) read with clause (z) of sub-section (2)
of section 176 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (Act 36 of 2003), the Central Government hereby makes the following
rules, to amend the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, namely:-
1. (1) These rules may be called the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the said rule), in rule 2, in
sub-rule (1),-
(a) after clause (i), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
‘(ia) “gross-metering” means a mechanism whereby the total solar energy generated from Grid Interactive
rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system of a Prosumer and the total energy consumed by the Prosumer are
accounted separately through appropriate metering arrangements and for the billing purpose, the total
energy consumed by the Prosumer is accounted at the applicable retail tariff and total solar power generated
is accounted for at feed-in tariff determined by the Commission;’;
(b) after clause (j), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-
‘(ja) “net-billing or net feed-in” means a single bidirectional energy meter used for net-billing or net feed-
in at the point of supply wherein the energy imported from the Grid and energy exported from Grid
Interactive rooftop Solar photovoltaic system of a Prosumer are valued at two different tariffs, where-
(i) the monetary value of the imported energy is based on the applicable retail tariff;
(ii) the monetary value of the exported solar energy is based on feed-in tariff determined by the Commission;
(iii) the monetary value of the exported energy is deducted from the monetary value of the imported energy to
arrive at the net amount to be billed (or credited / carried-over);
(jb) “net-metering” means a mechanism whereby solar energy exported to the Grid from Grid Interactive
rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system of a Prosumer is deducted from energy imported from the Grid in units
(kWh) to arrive at the net imported or exported energy and the net energy import or export is billed or
credited or carried-over by the distribution licensee on the basis of the applicable retail tariff by using a
single bidirectional energy meter for net-metering at the point of supply;’.
3. In the said rules, in rule 11, -
(a) for sub-rule (4), the following sub-rule shall be substituted, namely:-
“(4) The arrangements for net-metering, gross-metering, net-billing or net feed-in shall be in accordance with the
regulations made by the State Commission, from time to time:
Provided that where the regulations does not provide for net-metering, net-billing or net feed-in, the
Commission may allow net metering to the Prosumer for loads up to five hundred Kilowatt or upto the sanctioned
load, whichever is lower and net-billing or net feed-in for other loads:
Provided further that in the case of Prosumers availing net-billing or net feed-in, the Commissions may
introduce time-of-the-day tariffs whereby Prosumers are incentivised to install energy storage for utilization of
stored solar energy by them or feeding into the grid during peak hours thus helping the grid by participating in
demand response of the Discoms:
Provided also that in case of net-metering or net-billing or net feed-in, the distribution licensee may install
a solar energy meter to measure the gross solar energy generated from the Grid Interactive rooftop Solar
Photovoltaic system for the purpose of renewable energy purchase obligation credit, if any:
Provided also that the Commission may permit gross-metering for Prosumers who would like to sell all the
generated solar energy to the distribution licensee instead of availing the net-metering, net-billing or net feed-in4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
facility and the Commission shall decided for this purpose the generic tariff for gross-metering as per tariff
regulations:’
(b) for sub-rule (13), the following sub-rule shall be substituted namely:-
“(13) The solar energy generated by prosumer shall be adjusted against energy consumed and bill amount as per
regulations made by the Commission for Grid Interactive rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system.”
[F. No. 23/05/2020-R&R]
GHANSHYAM PRASAD, Jt. Secy.
Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide notification number
G.S.R. 818(E), dated the 31st December, 2020.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.