Domestic consumers in Nashik are protesting a new MSEDCL rule. The company now limits rooftop solar system installations based on a consumer’s annual power usage. Domestic consumers from Nashik claimed that the new condition put forward by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to restrict the installation of rooftop solar systems proportionately to the consumer’s annual power consumption was uncalled for.
Consumers are allowed to generate energy from rooftop solar panels, export it to the MSEDCL grid during the day and draw power from the grid at night. For this, MSEDCL will either charge or pay for the difference in units consumed or excess received by the power utility.
However, there is a condition. “MSEDCL, however, introduced a condition that solar power generation would be proportionate to the annual consumption of the consumer and not linked to sanctioned load. This condition is against the promotion of green energy at a time when energy-driven gadgets, including automobiles, are getting a good response from consumers,” claimed Sanjay Sonawane, vice president, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA).
The condition put forth by the utility is potentially depriving the consumer from exhausting the subsidy announced by the Union govt under the PM Suryaghar Scheme.
“If a consumer stays away from home for several months for any reason, the consumption will surely drop. In that case, why should that consumer is asked to install a rooftop panel of a capacity lower than that of the sanctioned load? The consumer is unable to exhaust the subsidy,” said Siddharth Varma, secretary of Veej Gharak Samity.
A release from the MSEDCL, however, stated that the step was taken in the interest of the consumers. “The head office received complaints about domestic consumers that are being sanctioned high capacity solar systems and then using them for commercial purposes. There are several issues regarding the same and hence the new condition of calculating the consumption during the past 12 months was introduced,” it said.
An officer from MSEDCL added, “The govt provides subsidy up to 3 KW projects. It is intended for domestic purposes. Personnel were also asked to find out if there was irregular use of solar power by consumers and actions would be taken against them.”
The Nashik district unit president of Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, Hira Jadhav, said the company should put the pros and cons in front of the consumers, conduct a hearing on the same, and then take steps.
“The consumers should be educated about the system and a hearing should be conducted before taking any such decisions. At present, the company should roll back its condition,” said Jadhav.
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