Rooftop solar consumers in Kerala to pay fixed charge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Appellate Tribunal rejecting the complaint filed, Purapura solar producers will have to pay a fixed price. The complaint was dismissed, noting that the Purapura solar consumers had earlier expressed their willingness to pay based on the connected load.

The Electricity Act was not clear about the fixed charge to be paid by the Purapura solar electricity producers. The new Electricity Act amendment included a provision that the Purapura solar producers pay a fixed charge like other electricity consumers. The Appellate Tribunal was approached to question this.

In addition to the energy charge, which is charged based on the amount of electricity used, the fixed charge is the rent for the system installed by KSEB to distribute electricity to the consumer. However, the Purapura solar producers use KSEB's electricity on a transfer basis. Therefore, the petitioners said that charging a fixed fee is unfair. The Appellate Tribunal upheld the Commission's suggestion that the fixed charge should be paid based on the total usage during the billing period or the total connected load.

However, the tribunal noted that a more precise system is needed.