• Cheaper and environment friendly electricity.
• Excess energy can be fed into the grid with tariff as determined by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.
• Electricity generation occurs at consumption center thus, saving transmission and distribution losses.
• Lower payback period.
• Requires minimal maintenance.
• 25 years guaranteed lifespan of the solar photovoltaic panels.
• Subsidy is available from MNRE.
• Highly modular.
• Quick installation.

No, Grid Interactive Rooftop Photovoltaic systems cannot generate electricity at night. In case of absence of generation by the system, power supply can be availed from the electric grid. Battery can be used to store energy for later use, i.e, night or monsoon.

Under net metering, electricity generated by the Grid Interactive Rooftop Photovoltaic system is first utilized by the consumer to meet their internal/captive requirements and excess electricity, if any, is exported to the grid. Subsequently, when the consumer imports power from the grid, the exports are adjusted against the imports, lowering electricity bill.

Net meter (bi-directional meter) usually records the energy imported from the grid to meet the load and surplus energy exported to the grid after consumption. Both energy import and export are recorded in the net meter. The difference between import and export readings is the actual energy consumed/delivered.

For each kWp, the Grid Interactive Rooftop Photovoltaic system installed on a south-facing roof will generate four to six units of electricity per day. However, depending upon the weather conditions, the energy generation reduces by around 20 percent for east or west facing roof.

Not required.

A Grid Interactive Rooftop Photovoltaic system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), grid tied inverters, circuit breakers, relays, energy meters (net/gross), module mounting structures (MMS), cables, etc.

As per the NERC (Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive System Net/Gross metering Regulations, 2019), the eligible consumer(s) of the Distribution Licensee shall be entitled to install RTS system under Net metering or Gross metering arrangement.

The maximum peak capacity of the grid connected RTS to be installed in a consumer's premises shall not exceed 100% of the connected/sanctioned load/contracted demand of the consumer. Provided that, the capacity of the grid connected RTS system to be installed by an eligible consumer(s) or third party owner shall not be less than 1kwp and shall not exceed 500 kWp.

Most roofs are strong enough for solar installation without any reinforcement. However, in case of larger systems, it is suggested to consult a qualified Structural Engineer.

Currently, the following business models are in vogue namely, self-owned (capital expenditure [Capex] model), Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model and third-party owned model. “RESCO” means an energy service company which provides renewable energy to the consumers in the form of electricity.

Capex Model: Consumers develop solar rooftop plant within their premises to own, operate and generate electricity for self-consumption and sell excess electricity to the utility (under net metering) or sell entire electricity to the utility (under gross metering). Generally, self-owned business model is preferred for its simplicity. However, this model also has disadvantages such as high capital cost for the consumer and high technology and performance risk.

RESCO Model: : A RESCO builds, owns and operates GRPV plant in the premises of a consumer to generate and sell electricity to the consumer. Consumer may further engage in net metering or gross metering arrangement with DISCOM.

In RESCO, consumer does not invest in the GRPV power plant; instead, a RESCO developer invests and sets up the system. RESCOs are specialized solar developers; they can handle technology and operation risks in a better way. However, RESCO model faces several challenges such as power off-take risks, contractual risks, etc.

Third Party Model: A Rooftop or Land Owner may lease out / rent the Rooftop Space/ Land to a Solar Project Developer on a mutual commercial arrangement. Under this arrangement, the owner of the roof / land engages a turnkey installer to design and install the project. The Commercial arrangement between the project developer and the Roof / Landowner will be submitted to the Buyer of the Solar Power / Distribution Licensee for the records.

Suitability of these models depend on one’s ability to meet the costs.

Yes. All applications related to Grid Interactive Rooftop Photovoltaic shall be processed through Unified Solar Rooftop Web Portal – Nagaland. Upon submission of DISCOM Application for Interconnection, Deparment of Power Nagaland (DoPN), will check the technical feasibility and provide a response through the Unified Solar Rooftop Web Portal – Nagaland. Applicants can register themselves through Unified Solar Rooftop Web Portal – Nagaland and apply online directly using relevant forms and formats to the approving authority.

An Eligible consumer for net metering/Gross metering scheme means a consumer of electricity in an area of supply of the “Distribution licensee”, who intends to set up a grid connected rooftop solar system in the consumer’s premises, which can be self-owned or third party owned, with an intent to offset the consumer's own consumption or sell the entire electricity to the distribution licensee at the rate prescribed by the Commission.

As per the NERC (Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive System Net/Gross metering Regulations, 2019), the maximum peak capacity of the grid connected RTS that can be installed in a consumer's premises shall not exceed 100% of the connected/sanctioned load/contracted demand of the consumer.

Provided that, the capacity of the grid connected RTS system to be installed by an eligible consumer(s) or third party owner shall not be less than 1kWp and shall not exceed 500 kWp.

No. Bi-directional and Solar Energy meters (unidirectional meter) shall be required by consumers to avail net metering facility.

All the meters installed at the RTS system shall comply with the CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters), Regulations, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereof. The appropriate meter(s) at the premises of the consumer shall be procured, installed and maintained by the Distribution Licensee at the cost of the eligible consumer. However, if the eligible consumer wishes to procure the appropriate Meter(s), he may procure such meter(s) and present the same to the Distribution Licensee for testing and installation. The location of appropriate meter(s) shall be in accordance with the CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters), Regulations, 2006 with amendments from time to time.

The installation of check meters shall be mandatory for rooftop solar system having rated capacity more than 50 kWp. For installation having capacity up to 50 kW, the eligible consumers or distribution licensee whosoever desires, may install check meter at their own cost. In any case, the distribution licensee shall own the check meter.

Please refer the NERC (Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive System Net/Gross metering) Regulations, 2019.

The Project Developers shall adhere to the National & International Standards specified by MNRE & CEA’s Technical Standards for Connectivity of Distributed Generation Resources - Regulation 2013.

Yes, some banks provide loans especially for solar rooftop systems. This information is available on the Unified Solar Rooftop Web Portal – Nagaland.