Power Generated by Solar Pumps to Account Towards RPO Fulfilment: MERC

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To maintain transparent accounting of energy generated from off-grid solar pumps, Maharashtra Energy Development Agency will be provided access to the online monitoring system

Solar Powered Hand Pumps
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The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has passed an order confirming that the power generated by off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) water pumps will be counted towards meeting the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

MSEDCL had filed a petition with the commission for the consideration of power generated by solar pumps towards its RPO fulfillment.

The commission stated that to maintain transparent accounting of energy generated from off-grid solar agricultural pumps, MSEDCL will provide access of online monitoring system to Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA), which is the state agency for monitoring of RPO of obligated entities.

Here’s the explanation from MERC

The commission observed that even though solar is the eligible renewable energy source for fulfilling RPO, regulations also mandate grid connectivity of such a source. The mandatory requirement of grid connectivity is for the exact accounting of energy generated from such sources which can be used for verification of RPO compliance or issuance of renewable energy certificates.

Though off-grid solar pumps are not connected to the grid, the pumps do have the provision for online monitoring mechanism under which the details of electricity generated and water utilization by the solar pumps are automatically made available to MSEDCL.

Therefore, the correct accounting of energy generated by off-grid agricultural solar pumps can be maintained which can be later used for the verification of RPO compliance, the MERC noted that in the order.

(With inputs from Mercom India)

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