(1) While the prosumers will maintain consumer status and have the same rights as the general consumer, they will also have right to set up Renewable Energy (RE) generation unit including roof top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems – either by himself or through a service provider.
(2) Renewable Energy (RE) generation unit may also be set up on other part of the premises of the prosumers, apart from the roof, however the total generation capacity of the RE unit shall not exceed the limit as specified by the Commission.
(3) The Commission shall lay down regulations on Grid Interactive Roof top Solar PV system and its related matters with timelines of not exceeding six months from the date of notification of these rules, in case the same has not been notified.
(4) The regulations on Grid Interactive Roof top Solar PV system and its related matters shall provide for net metering for loads up to ten kW and for gross metering for loads above ten kW.
(5) The distribution licensee shall facilitate the process for setting up of RE generation system at prosumers’ premises. In this regard, the licensee shall-
(a) create an online portal for receiving applications from prosumers for installation, interconnection and metering of distributed renewable energy systems or devices at their premises, and update the same on a regular basis;
(b) prominently display on its website and in all its offices, the following; namely:-
(i) detailed standardized procedure for installation and commissioning of roof top solar system;
(ii) a single point of contact to facilitate the consumers in installation of roof top solar system from submission of application form to commissioning.
(iii) address and telephone numbers of offices where filled-up application forms can be submitted;
(iv) complete list of documents required to be furnished along with such applications;
(v) applicable charges to be deposited by the applicant;
(vi) empanelled list of service providers for the benefit of consumers who want to install roof top solar PV system through service providers; and [भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का राजपत्र : ऄसाधारण 19
(vii) financial incentives to the prosumers, as applicable under various schemes and programmes of the Central and State Governments;
(6) The distribution licensee shall ensure that-
(i) application forms shall be accepted online or through hard copy;
(ii) in case the application form submitted in hard copy form, the same shall be scanned and uploaded on the website as soon as it is received and acknowledgement with the registration number for that application shall be generated and intimated to the applicant;
(iii) in case the application form received online through web portal of the distribution licensee, the acknowledgement with the registration number shall be generated on submission of application;
(iv) application shall be deemed to be received on the date of generation of acknowledgement with registration number; and
(v) the application tracking mechanism based on the unique registration number shall be provided by the distribution licensee through web-based application or any other mode to monitor the status of processing of the application like receipt of application, site inspection, meter installation and commissioning, etc.
(7) The technical feasibility study shall be completed within the time period specified by the Commission, not exceeding twenty days and the outcome of the study shall be intimated to the applicant.
(8) During the time period from the feasibility study till the completion of installation, in case, there is any requirement of upgradation of distribution infrastructure like augmentation of service line, distribution transformer capacity, etc., for installation of the required capacity of solar PV system, the same shall be carried out by the distribution licensee or consumer, as the case may be.
(9) After installation of solar PV system, the consumer shall submit the installation certificate to the distribution licensee. The licensee shall complete signing of connection agreement, installation of meter and successful commissioning of the solar PV system within the timelines specified by the Commission which shall not be more than thirty days from the date of submission of the installation certificate. Formats of contract agreement and installation certificate shall be placed on web-portal of the distribution licensee.
(10) Consumer shall have the option of purchasing the requisite meter himself which shall be tested and installed by the distribution licensee.
(11) The timelines as specified by the Commission shall be adhered to by the distribution licensee. In case of delay, the licensee may take approval from the Commission in specific cases along with justification for the same.
(12) In case of any delay on the part of distribution licensee without any just cause, the Licensee shall be liable to pay compensation to the consumer at a rate which shall not be less than five hundred rupees per day for each day of default.
(13) The energy generated by prosumer shall be adjusted against energy consumed or the bill amount, depending on whether net metering or gross metering is applicable.
(14) The distribution licensee shall pass on the financial incentives to the prosumers, as may be provided under various schemes and programmes of the Central and State Governments.