Net metering needs to be fixed for solar policy success
Dhanbad: The state of Jharkhand has recently announced its new vision of procuring solar energy. The vision aims for production of 4000 megawatt solar energy in next five years. Various methodologies will be employed to extract solar energy in phased manner. The target is to procure 250 megawatt from rooftop solar, 250 megawatt from captive solar and 250 megawatt from agricultural solar. Electricity would be sold according to the production value from each distribution segment of solar energy. Roof top solar can be installed above the buildings. Agricultural solar as the name suggests, can be utilized for agricultural activities. Besides this captive solar can be installed and utilized by huge firms across the state. This revolutionary is vital for procuring clean energy in coming years.
Jharkhand lags behind in generating clean energy and achieving sustainable development goals. A strong mechanism needs to be in place for the same. In a recent story Prabhat Khabar mentions that Sadar hospital in Ranchi generates 180 kilowatt energy through rooftop solar but lack of management and net metering system makes it difficult to determine the cost of it. The hospital due to this is facing a loss of 1.25 lakh per month. Dr. Vinod Kumar stated that they have already asked for installing net meter. The team also visited the site but till now there is no further development.
Mukesh Kumar, an engineer in Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Authority informed that the task of net metering is to be done by JBVNL. He emphasized that the solar grid will be in their control but as far as net metering is concerned JBVNL holds prime responsibility. Net metering is done through two way quantification of electricity. Mukesh assured that the solution to this problem is in vicinity and will be executed soon.
An authority from JBVNL stated that agency that takes the charge of installing solar rooftop is responsible for net metering accordingly.
Mukesh Kumar also revealed that the capacity of solar rooftop at present has reached to 25 megawatt in the state. According to him 125 thousand units of electricity is being produced on daily basis. Solar rooftops have been mandated in government buildings.
Solar rooftops have proved effective in many places. Most of the buildings in Dhanbad are equipped with solar rooftop. Net metering at the time of installation has been made compulsory as told to us by S K Kashyap, a top executive in JBVNL. He stated that steps are being taken to strengthen the procurement of solar energy in the state. He also raised his concern with respect to payment against the supply of solar energy. The system is not equipped to pay monthly in cash. It needs to improve through an efficient machinery and administration.
A government hospital in Dhanbad has solar rooftop and the electricity generated is used to run the hospital. The electricity supply is scarce and thus solar energy proves to be very useful in that case. The hospital amenities are majorly dependent on solar power. This is a small step towards solar procurement that will lead to new horizons in future.