Indian Government Amends Electricity Rules to Expedite New Connections and Simplify Rooftop Solar Installations

The Indian Government has approved amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, aimed at reducing the timeline for obtaining new electricity connections and simplifying the process of setting up rooftop solar installations.

Under the amended Electricity Rules, the time period for obtaining a new electricity connection has been significantly reduced across different areas:

• In metropolitan areas, the timeline has been reduced from seven days to three days.
• In other municipal areas, it has been reduced from fifteen days to seven days.
• In rural areas, the timeline has been reduced from thirty days to fifteen days, except for rural areas with hilly terrain, where the time period remains thirty days.

Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, emphasized that these amendments empower consumers, especially those living in multistoried flats, by allowing them to choose their connection type and ensuring separate billing for common areas and backup generators in residential societies. This move enhances transparency and consumer rights. Moreover, the amendments introduce the installation of check meters by distribution companies in case of consumer complaints to verify electricity consumption.

In addition to facilitating faster installation, the amendments aim to enhance the ease of setting up Rooftop Solar PV systems at the premises of prosumers. Key changes include:

• Exemption from the technical feasibility study requirement for systems up to a capacity of 10 kW.
• Reduction of the timeline for completing the feasibility study from twenty days to fifteen days for systems with capacities higher than 10 kW.
• Mandating distribution system strengthening for rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW capacity at the distribution company’s cost.
• Reducing the timeline for distribution licensees to commission Rooftop Solar PV systems from thirty days to fifteen days.

Furthermore, consumers can now obtain separate electricity connections for charging their Electric Vehicles (EVs), aligning with the country’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and achieving Net Zero by 2070.

These amendments represent a significant step towards enhancing consumer convenience, promoting renewable energy adoption, and accelerating India’s transition towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy ecosystem.