Good news for solar consumers

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has issued an important clarification regarding solar consumers, in which separate rules have been clarified for off-grid and on-grid consumers.

A Nepra statement said that Nepra’s regulations do not apply to people using off-grid solar systems, as they are not connected to the national electricity system. Therefore, no license is mandatory for them and no such proposal is under consideration.

However, new rules have been introduced for those consumers who are connected to the national grid. According to Nepra, consumers who come under net metering and net billing will have to obtain a regular license. Under the new regulations, a net billing system has been introduced especially for new consumers.

Officials further said that earlier only consumers with a load of more than 25 kW had to obtain a license from Nepra, but now according to the new rules, consumers with a load of 25 kW or less will also have to obtain a license. A fee of Rs 1,000 per kilowatt has been fixed for this.

Earlier, consumers up to 25 kilowatts had to take approval from the relevant distribution company and no fee was charged for this. After the new decision, this system has changed, the aim of which is said to be to further regulate the solar energy sector.