SOLAR NET METERING V/S GROSS METERING

Over the past years, solar PV systems have become viable and attractive. Under different promotional mechanisms, large utility-scale power plants are being set up worldwide. Distributed power generation is also being promoted through the rooftop solar system. The electricity generated from rooftop solar systems can also be integrated into the grid after conditioning the output from the solar system to meet the requirements of the grid.

There are two widely used mechanisms introduced to benefit the consumers who generate electricity from the rooftop solar PV system:

1.       Net-Metering System

2.       Gross-Metering System

NET-METERING SYSTEM

The net-metering system is an initiative that helps consumers of rooftop solar energy reduce their electricity bills. When solar panels produce power, the energy is utilized by the loads, and the excess energy is sent to the grid. When the production falls below the consumption, then the required energy is imported from the grid. This allows the power generators to offset their energy consumption with solar energy production. Net-metering also takes care of matching power supply and demand.

A net-meter (bi-directional meter) is used for measuring the export of excess energy from the solar system and import of energy from the grid. When the power consumption bill is generated, if the export of solar energy exceeds the import of energy from the grid, the consumer gets credits for the excess energy injected into the grid. This can be carried forward to the next month or reimbursed at a rate provided by the state authority.

Net-metering essentially makes the grid a huge battery which can be used to stabilize the demand of solar energy and provide energy independence and sustainability. It also allows the consumer to mitigate the rising costs of energy and gain monetary benefits from the solar system.

CHALLENGES

The tariff and policies vary from state to state, making solar a viable option at one place and a nonviable option at another. To implement net-metering successfully, the tariffs and policies should be market-driven rather than regulated.

Another issue that shuns the adoption of the on-grid solar system with net-metering is frequent grid-shortages. When the grid turns off, solar power generated cannot be used by the consumer as the grid-tied inverter turns off the supply of power from the PV system.

GROSS-METERING SYSTEM

Under gross-metering, all the electricity generated by the solar rooftop system is exported to the grid and energy required for consumption is imported from the grid. The consumers are paid a feed-in-tariff decided by the respective state nodal agencies for the electricity injected into the grid.

The consumer will be paying the electricity bill as usual for the consumed units as per the tariff decided by the concerned state authority. The energy supplied to the grid by the consumer will be determined by the state and will be regulated from time to time.