THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEBs new transformer policy is all set to take away the sheen of the famous Purapura solar project. It has been decided that power generation should not be allowed more than 75% of the transformer capacity. This comes at a time when the Regulatory Commission allows up to 90%.

With this coming into force, more than half of the Purapura solar applications are mounted in the KSEB offices without getting approval. More than 75000 applications were received last month alone. There is a condition that the total solar power should be fed to the grid and the net meter for the same should be purchased from KSEB itself.

As there is no net meter in KSEB, more than 40 completed projects are yet to start production in any section. Solar energy cannot be generated without connecting to the grid. A total of 1.27 lakh household solar plants in the state are generating 1009.29 MW of electricity.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a scheme to install solar plants in one crore households in the country with a subsidy of up to Rs 78,000. The electricity provided to the grid during the daytime should be repaid by KSEB during the night. The electricity price during the day is less than 4 rupees per unit and at night it is more than 12 rupees. This was feared to incur a huge loss for KSEB. An expert committee has been appointed under the leadership of NX Sunil, Deputy Chief Engineer, System Operation Department, Kalamassery to study the solar project.

The State Regulatory Commission will take evidence on the 15th at 11 am at the Institute of Engineers Hall in Vellayambalam regarding the provisions of the Net Metering Second Amendment applicable to Purapura solar installers and solar plant owners.