Andhra Pradesh Revamps Rooftop Solar Rules with New Net Metering Draft
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has introduced comprehensive amendments to its rooftop solar regulations, streamlining adoption while addressing grid stability and transparency concerns. The updated Grid-Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems under Net and Gross Metering Regulation, 2023 impacts homeowners, developers, and commercial users alike.
Drivers Behind the Regulatory Update
After facing challenges like delayed approvals and unclear banking policies, APERC’s draft establishes decisive compensation rates for surplus solar energy while eliminating arbitrary capacity caps. These changes align with India’s broader renewable energy growth trajectory while resolving critical pain points.
Key Regulatory Improvements
- Simplified Approvals: Residential installations under 10 kW bypass bureaucratic bottlenecks while commercial projects maintain technical assessments
- Banking Charge Revisions: Surplus energy injections now credited at 90% tariff rate (up from 85%), reducing battery dependency
- Ownership Clarification: Explicit third-party system approvals prevent DISCOM disputes
Balancing Infrastructure Costs
A new ₹1.50/kWh grid maintenance fee for systems above 5 kW aims to prevent infrastructure strain. While critics argue this reduces savings, APERC emphasizes the need for sustainable grid reliability as India’s solar capacity expands.
Implementation Timeline
Stakeholders can submit comments until October 15, 2025, with final regulations expected by December – strategically timed before the peak installation season. The process mirrors other states’ solar policy evolutions toward simpler, more predictable frameworks that encourage adoption.
