THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the regulatory commission's order to increase rooftop solar electricity rates is a relief, consumers feel hugely betrayed due to the commission's neglect in changing the electricity banking period from October to March. People switching to solar to reduce their electricity bills might feel like they are cheated again.
KSEB banks the electricity, supplied by solar consumers, to the grid. Before, if you pay for the electricity in the bank till October, the electricity from November will be in the bank. It can be used during summer months from February to June. This advantage has gone with the change of banking period to March 31. After March, those producing electricity using solar will have no power left. During the summer months, more electricity has to be bought from the grid at night than supplied to the grid during the day. Its bill ranges from four to seven rupees per unit depending on the tariff. As a result, the price of electricity paid by the consumer has been increased to Rs. 3.15 per unit.
No profit, says KSEB
The electricity generated by solar consumers during the day is cheaper. The electricity given at night instead is bought from outside at exorbitant cost. It is given to the customer at a lower price than that. KSEB has to bear this loss. Last year it got 15.881 crore units and paid Rs 16.30 crores to the customers. There was a loss of Rs 40 crores for the electricity supplied instead. The shift of large household customers to solar also led to losses.
KSEB not promoting rooftop solar
There are allegations that KSEB is not promoting the rooftop solar project as the installed capacity has crossed 1000 MW. Kerala ranks 6th among the Centre's PM Surya Ghar applicants. (83,905 applicants till June). There are those who have invested lakhs and set up the plant and are waiting for the connection. Still lame excuses are being given that there are no net meters and staff.
Expense and numbers