Solar power: Govt buildings can lease rooftops

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 20

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has allowed government organisations to lease rooftop space to independent power producers for the installation of rooftop solar systems.

Under the Net Metering Regulations 2019, the HERC also allowed government organisations to set up rooftop solar systems on their own or through any third party.

The HERC increased the installed capacity of power to be produced by any eligible power consumer to 2 megawatt. The new regulations would remain in force till the financial year 2021-22.

DS Dhesi, HERC Chairman, claimed that the new regulations would go a long way in reducing power bills of consumers. He said it could be a source of income for solar power producers as surplus electricity could be sold to power distribution companies.

Officials said the solar meter (a unidirectional meter) would be required to be installed as an integral part of the net metering system at the point at which electricity was generated by solar energy system and delivered to the main panel.

The net metering equipment (bi-directional meters) and solar meter would be maintained by the distribution licensee at the cost of the eligible consumer, the officials pointed out.