Nagpur: Sunil Lade, who was on hunger strike against the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC’s) draft solar policy, along with four others, had to be hospitalized when his blood pressure shot up to 190.
Police took him to a hospital where he was kept under observation for six hours. After his blood pressure became normal, Lade was discharged and he returned to Deekshabhoomi Square where the protest is being held.
Devendra Ranade, director of MM Solar Limited, who is leading the agitation, said that MERC’s policy would ruin the nascent solar energy sector in the state. “The new policy is the biggest injustice for solar energy users and the industry,” he said.
The net metering policy is currently in force. MERC had introduced this policy suo motu in 2015 to boost generation of renewable energy. But recently, MSEDCL submitted a petition to the MERC, stating that instead of the net metering policy, it should introduce the net billing policy.
Taking the petition into consideration, the commission has proposed a new regulation and draft of the same is on the Internet. MERC has called for objections and suggestions,” Ranade told TOI.
He added that according to the current policy, 100% return of solar energy generated through the net metering system to domestic consumers is done.
“However, according to the new proposed policy, only up to 300 units will be refunded as per the net metering system. The remaining usage will have to be paid at the prescribed rate. This will sharply increase the bills of consumers and make solar energy generation unviable,” added Ranade.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
