The Ministry of Power (MoP) has greenlit revisions to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, aiming to expedite processes and enhance consumer options. The amendments, approved by the MoP, introduce several key changes.
Under the revised rules, the installation process for rooftop solar photovoltaic systems at prosumer premises will be streamlined. Notably, a technical feasibility study is no longer mandatory for systems with a capacity of up to 10 kW. For systems exceeding 10 kW, the timeframe for conducting feasibility studies has been reduced from twenty to fifteen days. If the study surpasses the specified period, automatic approval will be granted.
Moreover, distribution companies are now obligated to strengthen distribution systems for rooftop solar PV systems with a capacity of up to 5 kW, covering associated costs. Additionally, the commissioning period for rooftop solar PV systems has been shortened from thirty days to fifteen days.
To promote electric vehicle adoption, consumers can now acquire separate electricity connections for charging their vehicles. The amendments also aim to enhance transparency in metering and billing processes. Residents in cooperative group housing societies, multi-storied buildings, and residential colonies now have the option to choose between individual connections for each unit or a centralized single-point connection for the entire premises. This choice will be determined through transparent ballots conducted by distribution companies.
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Furthermore, tariff parity has been established for consumers using single-point connections and those opting for individual connections. Separate procedures will be instituted for metering, billing, and collection for personal electricity usage obtained from the distribution licensee, individual usage of backup electricity provided by residential associations, and electricity consumption in common areas of such associations acquired from the distribution licensee.
