Shortage in meters affects solar energy users

P.J. Nagaraj of GN Mill post installed rooftop solar energy system and submitted an application to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) in September last year so that he can start using the solar energy generated. Though he had paid the required fees, he was unable to use the solar energy system till the end of December due to non-availability of solar bi-directional meter and the net metering facility was not provided to him.

Mr. Nagaraj approached the Tangedco consumer grievances redress forum and submitted a petition on January 3 this year seeking net meter facility.

There was a problem due to shortage in availability of solar net metering facility for three phase connections. It was supplied on seniority basis and service had been provided to those who had registered till August.

Chief Engineer of Tangedco, T. Haldorai, told

The Hindu that the bi-directional meters are expected shortly. “It is a matter of days before it comes,” he said. About 300 applications were pending for the net meter in this region, he said.

At a meeting of the consumer forum, K. Kathirmathiyon, its member, said that according to the Tamil Nadu Solar Policey 2012, there is a provision for the consumer to procure and supply the meter. The State Government’s policy and the instruction of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission is to encourage clean energy and consumers cannot wait for eight months after investing in the solar energy system just because the net meter is not available with the licensee (Tangedco). If the licensee is unable to effect the service for solar energy for want of net meter, the consumer could have been advised to procure it and he could have started generating solar power.

Based on the views of the petitioner, the licensee and the forum members, an order was passed about 10 days ago directing the licensee to provide details within 15 days to the petitioner on the availability of the meter and the procedure to be followed as per the TNERC norms. The service for solar power should be provided with net meter within a week after the consumer gets the meter.