Solaring ahead: 100+ consumers connect to state’s grid
Panaji: More than 100 consumers have successfully installed grid-connected solar installations in the state.
The state’s solar installed capacity stands at 6.58mw with a total of 114 connections. Around 107 of these are individual net metering connections and the rest gross metering connections where the entire power generated is supplied to the electricity department.
“A total of 4.2 million units of solar power were generated between April 2019 and March 2020. We are committed towards green energy and want to encourage solar energy,” chief electrical engineer Rajiv Samant said.
Several initial teething problems have been resolved and processes have been streamlined with a single window system in the pipeline.
Recently 43 prosumers were the first to be paid for the surplus energy that their solar installations -largely rooftop – supplied to the grid. “Every month the units are adjusted and at the end of each year we will disburse the payment for the surplus energy,” Samant said.
Posumers, under net metering, are paid either Rs3.33 or Rs2.93 per unit depending on their agreement signed with the electricity department which is valid for 25 years. Those who had signed agreements initially are being paid Rs3.33 per unit while those who signed up last year are being paid Rs2.93 per unit.
“The average power cost is fixed by the joint electricity regulatory commission (JERC). For those who signed agreements in 2019-2020, the rate was Rs 2.93 but this rate continues because the new rate of Rs 3 hasn’t been notified yet,” a Goa energy development agency (GEDA) official said. “Once the agreement is signed the rate is fixed for 25 years,” he added.
Subsidies were disbursed to the first 30 solar prosumers last month. “The next set of prosumers will be paid the subsidy in October,” the official said. The electricity department has been playing its role by setting up small solar installations at 14 of its substations with a total installed capacity of 410kw.
SUN POWER
How The Grid Works
Majority of solar power generated is through rooftop installations
‘Prosumers’ (consumer & producer of solar power) supply surplus to state electricity grid
Goa’s solar power installed capacity at 6.58mw through 114 connections
107 are individual net metering connections (personal & shared solar power)
Remaining 7 are gross metering (entire power generated supplied to electricity dept)
4.2 million units of solar power generated from April 2019 to March 2020
Prosumers paid either Rs3.33 or Rs2.93 per unit depending on agreement with dept.
Rs50 lakh subsidies disbursed to first 30 solar prosumers in Aug
Dept. has set up small solar installations at 14 substations
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
