New rule for solar in Kerala: Battery storage mandatory for solar prosumers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: New rules making battery storage mandatory for solar consumers came into effect in the state from Thursday. The validity of the rules will be till 2030. The new billing will come into effect on 1st July 2026. The new rules were brought into effect from Thursday, after conducting evidence collection on the draft published on 30th May this year. In addition to batteries, new systems such as virtual net metering, group net metering, gross metering, vehicle-to-grid, and behind-the-meter have been included in the regulation. From 1st April 2027, new plants above 5 kilowatts will require battery storage. Electricity supplied to the grid from battery storage at night will be charged at Rs 7.50 per unit, and electricity from electric vehicles at Rs 10.

Solar electricity stored in the power bank will be settled on April 1. The excess electricity will be available at a rate of Rs 3.08 per unit for existing prosumers and Rs 2.79 per unit for new prosumers. Earlier, it was settled in October and could have been used during the summer months of April and May. Since the electricity in the bank is settled in April, such a benefit will not be available.