The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has issued new regulations for solar rooftop photovoltaic (SRTPV) projects under a self-investment model by consumers. These regulations, known as the KERC Implementation of Peer-to-Peer Solar Energy Transaction Regulations 2024, allow consumers to engage in net or gross metering arrangements for energy injection into the grid at commission-determined tariffs.
Effective upon their publication in the official gazette, these regulations apply to all distribution licensees and eligible consumers in Karnataka. They should be read alongside the KERC Implementation of Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic Power Plants Regulations 2016 and other relevant solar energy orders issued by the commission.
The regulations cover registered domestic consumers and SRTPV prosumers with net or gross metering arrangements who opt to transact energy through online platforms provided by registered service providers. This includes peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions of energy. Distribution licensees must offer gross or net metering arrangements on a non-discriminatory, first-come, first-served basis to facilitate rooftop solar energy transactions through blockchain or other technology-based P2P platforms.
Prosumers can choose to sell their excess energy to selected consumers at specific or mutually negotiated prices before any other transactions occur. For dynamic energy exchange, prosumers and consumers interact directly through the P2P platform to set their prices, which can be based on the highest buyer price, lowest seller price, or an average of both.
If no excess energy is available in the P2P network, consumers will rely on the distribution licensee for their energy needs. Similarly, if no buyers are available, the energy will be sold back to the distribution licensee at a pre-agreed price. Consumers must install grid-connected SRTPV plants as specified by KERC regulations and comply with relevant codes and technical standards.
Eligible consumers or prosumers can install SRTPV plants with net or gross metering, as specified by the commission. Registered service providers will facilitate P2P solar energy transactions using blockchain or similar platforms, in collaboration with distribution licensees. Any defects in the distribution licensee’s meters will be addressed promptly, and no penalties will be imposed on P2P participants during outages. The KERC standards of performance regulations will apply to P2P consumers.
Distribution licensees must follow a transparent, uniform procedure for enabling eligible consumers to participate in transactions, indicating time frames for each activity involved. To join the P2P platform, consumers and prosumers must install compliant smart meters. The service provider will use meter data to capture P2P transactions for billing and reconciliation purposes.
The billing cycle of the P2P platform will align with the distribution licensee’s cycle, with mutual agreement on settlement modalities if cycles differ. The commission may issue further directions and orders for implementing these regulations, including modifying or relaxing provisions as needed. The KERC consumer grievance redressal regulations will apply to grievances arising from these regulations, except for disputes specified under Section 86(f) of the Electricity Act, 2003.