In their petition, solar developers argue that the proposed 500 MW limit would act as a barrier to unlocking the full benefit of solar power generation in the state
The Distributed Solar Power Association (DISPA), a body representing rooftop solar developers, has filed a petition before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), protesting its decision to limit transmission subsidy.
The HERC has refused to waive various transmission-related charges for solar projects above 500 MW, Economics Times reported.
In its petition, DISPA argues that the 500 MW limit is completely arbitrary and has been imposed without any consultation or public hearing.
“Such a limitation acts as a barrier to achieving and unlocking the full benefit of solar power generation in the state, which is the true intent behind the commission’s order,” it said.
500 MW limit versus renewable purchase obligation target
Each state is required to have a mandatory minimum renewable energy capacity. For Haryana, it needs to have 8 percent of its total power from solar sources by 2021-22. And DISPA is worried that the 500 MW limit would be a possible hindrance to achieving this target.
The promise made last year
The Haryana government had, in July last year, announced that it would waive transmission-related charges for ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects to promote renewable energy production in the state.
A few months later, however, HERC issued draft regulations suggesting that the exemption should apply only to an aggregate installed capacity of 500 MW.
The Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA)’s guidelines also came out in support of HERC. While releasing the guidelines, the agency invited stakeholders for their comments.
In its response, DISPA had suggested that the 500 MW limit should be removed.
However, no final guidelines incorporating the suggestions of the stakeholders have been issued till date, DISPA was quoted as saying.
