Solar manufacturers resort to hunger strike
| Date :10-Dec-2019 |
Business Bureau :
Solar manufacturers are observing hunger strike here in the city against the proposed Renewable Energy Policy (RE Policy 2019) by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). The agitating manufacturers including Devendra Govind Ranade, Director M M Solar Pvt. Ltd.; Amit Deotale, Director Green Life Solutions Pvt. Ltd; and Pankaj Gade of Ishaan Energy Savers Nagpur are on strike from December 7 at Diksha Bhumi Square, Nagpur. More than 150 dealers and manufacturers including members of the Maharashtra Solar Manufacturers’ Association, Vidarbha Chapter are participating in the agitation. “This issue is not limited to any individual or business, it is a very serious matter dealing with renewable energy sources and fast running conventional energy sources.
In addition to pollution, environmental degradation, the basic right of energy conservation and generation of the general public is hampered. Conservation of renewable energy sources is also an urgent need of the hour,” he Ranade. MLA Vikas Thakre; MLC Anil Sole and office-bearers of various organisations have also been visiting the agitators. At present “Net Metering Policy” is in force in Maharashtra for renewable energy. Large number of RE users are enjoying its benefits by installing RE Systems at their rooftops or other places.
The MERC had introduced this policy sue-motto in the year 2015 to boost the Renewable Energy Generation in the state. But now, the Maha-Discom submitted a petition to the MERC that instead of “Net Metering Policy” MERC should introduce “Net Billing policy”. and considering the petition of Maha-Discom the MERC has proposed a new regulation and draft of the same is introduced on the internet. MERC has called for objections / suggestions on the said draft of new RE Policy. Highlighting some of the objectionable points in the proposed new unconventional energy policy, Ranade said that according to the current policy, 100 per cent return of renewable energy generated through the Net Metering System to domestic consumers. Only up to 300 units will be refunded as per the Net Metering System.
The remaining usage will have to be paid at the prescribed rate. For example if the monthly electricity consumption of a consumer is 600 units, of which 500 units of electricity is generated per month by installing solar power installed on the rooftop, then under the Net Metering System he will have to subtract 500 units and pay only for 100 units in excess. According to the new policy, due to the Net Billing System, 300 units will be deducted as per Net Metering Policy and the remaining 300 units will have to pay the usual rate of Rs 2100 as per New Proposed RE Policy. Also, if the electricity consumption is less than the generated electricity, the remaining power units are recorded in the deposit account. Which can be used in later times. But according to the new policy, if the consumption is less than the generated electricity, the remaining electricity will be paid to the customer at the prescribed rate, if purchased by the distribution company at a rate of Rs 3.50 per unit. According to the current policy, the power that the consumer is subjected to in any category, can generate renewable energy according to the Net Metering System.