India Regulations
35 terms in the india regulations category.
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ALMM
ALMM (Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) is MNRE's official roster of solar module and inverter models permitted for use in government-subsidized, DCR-mandated, and CFA projects in India. List I covers modules; List II covers inverters.
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BESCOM
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) is the DISCOM serving Bengaluru and 7 surrounding districts in Karnataka. Major Indian residential and commercial solar market. Implements KERC orders.
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BIS Solar
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is the national standards body that certifies solar PV modules, inverters, cables, and balance-of-system equipment to Indian Standards (IS). BIS certification is required for grid-tied solar in India.
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CAPEX Model (Solar)
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) model in solar means the customer purchases, owns, and operates the solar plant. Customer pays upfront for the system and claims tax depreciation benefits. Common for Indian residential rooftop and for C&I projects where the buyer wants asset ownership.
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CEA Connectivity Regulations
CEA Connectivity Regulations are issued by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India and govern the technical requirements for connecting utility-scale solar plants to State Transmission Utility (STU) and Central Transmission Utility (CTU, PGCIL) networks.
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CEIG (Chief Electrical Inspector General)
CEIG (Chief Electrical Inspector General) is the state-appointed authority in India that inspects and approves electrical installations for safety compliance. For solar PV, CEIG approval is required for systems ≥10 kW (state-specific threshold) before energization.
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CFA (Central Financial Assistance)
Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is the grant component of MNRE solar incentive schemes. For residential rooftop solar (Phase II), CFA covers 40% of cost up to 3 kW + 20% on 3–10 kW.
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CTU / STU
CTU (Central Transmission Utility) is PGCIL operating India's national high-voltage transmission grid. STU (State Transmission Utility) operates each state's high-voltage transmission. Both involved in utility-scale solar grid connection.
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DCR (Domestic Content Requirement)
Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) is the MNRE-mandated provenance requirement that solar modules used in government-procured, CFA-eligible, and certain subsidy projects must be manufactured in India from solar cells made in India.
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DISCOM
DISCOM (Distribution Company) is the state-licensed electricity distribution utility in India responsible for retail supply, metering, and net-metering interconnection of rooftop solar. Examples: MSEDCL (Maharashtra), BESCOM (Karnataka), TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu).
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Energy Banking
Energy banking is the regulatory provision allowing surplus solar generation in one period to be credited against consumption in a later period. Rules and durations vary by state in India — typically monthly or annual carry-forward.
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GERC
Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) is the state regulator that sets tariffs and policies for electricity in Gujarat. Includes net metering rules, RPO targets, and Open Access regulations for Gujarat's solar market.
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GETCO
Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) is the state transmission utility (STU) for Gujarat, operating the high-voltage transmission grid. Counter-party for utility-scale solar connectivity in Gujarat.
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IREDA
IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited) is a public sector NBFC under MNRE that provides debt finance for renewable energy projects in India — solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, energy storage.
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IS 14286
IS 14286 is the Indian Standard for crystalline silicon PV module qualification testing. Equivalent to IEC 61215. Required for BIS certification and ALMM listing in India.
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IS 16170
IS 16170 is the Indian Standard for solar PV inverter performance and acceptance criteria. Required for ALMM listing alongside IS 16221 (safety).
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IS 16221
IS 16221 is the Indian Standard for safety of solar PV inverters, aligned with international IEC 62109. Required for BIS certification and ALMM List II listing in India.
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IS 800
IS 800 is the Indian Standard 'General Construction in Steel - Code of Practice'. Equivalent to AISC 360 in the US. Reference for steel structural design of solar racking, trackers, and ground-mount structures in India.
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IS 875
IS 875 is the Indian Standard for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures. Part 3 covers wind loads — the primary reference for solar PV structural design in India alongside IS 800 (steel) and IS 456 (concrete).
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KERC
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) is the state regulator for Karnataka's electricity sector, governing net metering, RPO, and Open Access policies. BESCOM is the primary urban DISCOM (Bengaluru); MESCOM, CESCOM, HESCOM, GESCOM serve other regions.
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MERC
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) is the state regulator for Maharashtra's electricity sector. Sets tariff orders, net metering rules, and Open Access policies for one of India's largest solar markets.
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MNRE
MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) is the Government of India ministry responsible for national renewable energy policy, solar incentive programs, technical specifications for grid-tied PV, the ALMM, and oversight of agencies like SECI and IREDA.
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MSEDCL
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is the primary DISCOM serving most of Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai). Handles residential, commercial, agricultural electricity distribution and solar net metering.
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Net Metering (India)
Net metering in India is a billing mechanism allowing rooftop solar customers to export surplus energy to the grid and receive credit against import consumption. Rules vary by state — caps, tariffs, and eligibility set by each State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) and DISCOM.
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Open Access (India)
Open Access is the regulatory framework in India that allows large electricity consumers (typically > 1 MW connected load) to procure electricity directly from generators (including renewable producers) using the existing transmission and distribution network, paying wheeling, banking, and other charges to DISCOMs.
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OPEX Model (Solar)
OPEX (Operating Expenditure) model in solar is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a developer owns and operates the solar plant on the customer's roof or land, while the customer pays a per-kWh tariff for the energy consumed. Also called RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model in India.
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PFC (Power Finance Corporation)
Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) is a central public sector NBFC under the Ministry of Power, providing debt finance for power infrastructure projects including solar, wind, and grid. Major utility-scale solar lender in India alongside IREDA.
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PGCIL
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is the central PSU operating India's national high-voltage transmission network (Central Transmission Utility, CTU). Counter-party for utility-scale solar connectivity to the central grid.
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PM-KUSUM
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) is the Government of India scheme launched in 2019 to solarize agriculture via standalone solar pumps, grid-connected pumps, and decentralized solar plants for farmers.
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REC (Renewable Energy Certificate)
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is a tradable instrument representing the environmental attributes of 1 MWh of generation from a renewable source. Used in India by obligated entities (DISCOMs, captive consumers) for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compliance.
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RESCO
RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) is the Indian OPEX-model entity that owns, finances, operates, and maintains a solar plant on a customer's site, selling energy via PPA at a fixed per-kWh tariff.
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Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II
Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II is MNRE's residential solar subsidy program, providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 40% on the first 3 kW and 20% on 3–10 kW for grid-connected residential rooftop solar in India.
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SECI
SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited) is the central public sector undertaking under MNRE that conducts utility-scale solar tariff auctions, implements solar parks, and acts as a counter-party for many large solar PPAs in India.
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TNERC
Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) regulates Tamil Nadu's electricity sector. Known for restrictive solar policy — net metering ≤ 10 kW (residential); gross metering above. TANGEDCO is the primary DISCOM.
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Wheeling Charges
Wheeling charges are fees paid to a DISCOM for transporting electricity through its distribution network in Open Access transactions. Typical ₹0.50–1.50/kWh depending on state, voltage, and consumer category.
