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The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has introduced new regulations, 2025 for the installation of rooftop aero turbines (RAT) in combination with solar power systems. These regulations, effective from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, outline guidelines for distribution licensees and eligible consumers who wish to install grid-connected RAT plants, either with or without solar energy. The regulations state that distribution licensees must offer either gross metering or net metering arrangements to consumers in their areas of supply on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring a non-discriminatory approach. Consumers who already have a solar rooftop plant or those planning to install one will be allowed to install a RAT plant with solar, as long as the installed capacity is no less than one kilowatt. The total installed capacity of the plant, including the RAT system, should not exceed 1.25 times the sanctioned load for the consumer’s installation. In cases where the plant is installed without solar, the minimum capacity should still be one kilowatt, but it must not exceed the sanctioned load. The regulations also highlight that the cumulative capacity of all installed RAT plants across the state should not exceed the total capacity approved by the Commission. In both cases—whether with or without solar—the rooftops must be capable of supporting the weight and dynamic forces generated by the turbine, including wind and vibration during operation. Consumers are advised to consult a structural engineer to ensure their rooftops can withstand these loads before proceeding with the installation. Distribution licensees are required to follow a transparent and uniform procedure for approving and facilitating the installation of RAT plants. Once a consumer applies, the licensee will assess the technical feasibility and issue approval within the timelines specified by the Commission. Following approval, the consumer must enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the licensee, and the RAT plant must be commissioned within 180 days. If the plant is not commissioned within this period, the applicable tariff for the electricity supplied from the RAT plant will be reduced, either to the prevailing tariff determined by the Commission or 90% of the agreed PPA tariff, whichever is lower. The regulations also specify that the distribution licensee is responsible for monitoring the installation of RAT plants by consumers and submitting quarterly reports to the Commission in the prescribed format. This ensures that the entire process is carefully monitored and in compliance with the KERC grid code and the technical standards for distributed generation resources set by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). These regulations are a significant step towards encouraging the integration of rooftop aero turbines with solar power systems, contributing to sustainable energy production while ensuring consumer safety and technical compliance. They aim to create a structured and transparent process for the installation of these systems while ensuring the stability and reliability of the state’s electricity grid. |
