Kerala Kaumudi news becomes eye opener; 2000 three-phase meters ready for rooftop solar project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Consumers of the rooftop solar project, who had been in a crisis as they were unable to provide additional electricity to KSEB, will start receiving three-phase net meters from tomorrow. For this, about 2000 net meters have reached the Vydyuthi Bhavan after quality inspection. The meters will be delivered to the respective section offices on Monday. Authorities have also taken action to arrange another 4500 net meters for distribution. The other day, Kerala Kaumudi had reported about the losses that will be suffered by rooftop solar consumers due to the non-installation of three-phase net meters. The action comes after this.

The shortage of net meters was due to technical glitches in the procedures. Tenders had been invited on August 23 to purchase 6500 single-phase net meters and 13,500 three-phase net meters. However, the process of finalizing the tender dragged on indefinitely. As a result, consumers were not getting meters. Following the report published by Kerala Kaumudi, KSEB issued an order to complete the tender process immediately. The authorities have taken steps to completely solve the shortage of net meters.

A net meter is required to supply electricity to the grid and to receive electricity from it in return. Following the shortage of the net meter, the rooftop solar panels set up at a cost of two to three lakh rupees became useless. That issue has been resolved now, thanks to the action from the authorities. KSEB also said that the facility in which consumers can purchase meters themselves will continue.