Guidelines for Setting up of Grid Connected Solar Power Generation System

To promote generation and use of Solar Energy, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (For the State of Goa & Union Territories) has notified Solar Power - Grid Connected Ground Mounted and Solar Rooftop and Metering Regulations - 2015 And Solar Power Tariff herein after referred to as Solar Power Regulations, 2015. For effective and proper implementation of the Solar Power Regulations, 2015, the Electricity Department, Puducherry, hereby formulates the following procedural guidelines for adoption.:

1.0 Eligibility Criteria

Solar PV power projects of capacity equal to or more than 500 kWp, and Rooftop Solar Power of capacity equal to or more than 1 kWp but not more than 500 kWp setup at one location within the jurisdictional area of the Electricity Department, Puducherry (U.T), by one individual or entity or a house/ factory I Ware house I Government building I Panchayat Bhavan I Community centre/ School I dispensary I hospital I parking .Shed or place/ a solar plant on elevated structure I Group housing society I Resident welfare society/ market roof top or any such entity, based on the technologies approved by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy of Government of India are eligible for connecting the project with Grid.

Solar Power connection with Gross Metering, Net metering and Group Net metering will be allowed for the consumers of the Department with I without battery back-up support. Consumers shall generate solar power for self-consumption and are allowed to feed the excess solar power into the grid which will be adjusted under net metering as per ·provisions of Solar Power Regulations, 2015, or consumer can opt for gross metering.

The Installed capacity of the solar power plant proposed in KW shall be equal to or less than the sanctioned load of the service connection in kW.

The penetration of the solar power capacity installed into the distribution grid is limited upto 30% of the rated capacity of the respective distribution transformer from where the normal feeding is provided. The grid connectivity is provided to the eligible consumers on first cum first serve basis.

2.0 Procedure for Application and Registration

The procedure for connectivity of solar PV System under Solar Power Regulations-2015 involves the following process;

(i) Application:

The mns11mer shall submit an application, seeking connectivity under the Solar Power Regulatiurn-2015 in the specified format .(Annexure - I), specifying the type of connectivity arrangement required vi.;1; .. Net­Mrtrrinl}f\irn11p Nrt Mrtr rine/ r;]·nnn Mrtrr'1 Pi nl l liJ with Pl 1i , I i1 f,..,.. )f Th ~O/ r •r H\Tp (Rtipuu~ fifty per kWp only) plus the applicable service tax, to the respective jurisdictional Sub-Divisional Engineer, Viz., Assistant Executive Engineer I Assistant Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Electricity Department, Puducherry/ Karaikal/ Mahe/ Yanam regions.

The Sub-Divisional Engineer shall acknowledge the receipt of the application form and shall record time, date & serial number of the receipt which shall form the basis for drawing the priority list, for further processing of applications on first cum first serve basis.

(ii) Feasibility Report:

The Sub-Divisional Engineer after checking the technical feasibility for extending grid connectivity by assessing the capacity of Distribution transformer, sanctioned connected load and connection arrangements including safety requirements, shall submit feasibility report in the format ( ANNEXURE-11) either for full installed capacity I reduced capacity or rejection with reasons as the case may be to the Executive Engineer/ MRT & MMC cum Nodal Officer (RE), Electricity Department, Puducherry, within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of the application.

(iii) Letter of Approval:

The Nodal officer shall issue a letter of principle ai:'proval to the applicant/ consumer in line with feasibility report submitted by field officer within three (3) days from the date of receipt of field report. It shall be ensured that the letter of approval/ rejection as the case may be issued to the applicant/ consumer, within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of the application.

(iv) Work completion:

The Consumer/ Solar power Developer shall set up the plant and submit the work completion report (ANNEXURE-111) along with the test report and layout drawings, within 180 days from the date of issue of letter of approval to the Sub-Divisional Engineer with a copy to Nodal officer, failing which his application stands cancelled and the Distribution Licensee can proceed for allotment of such capacity to other applicants, strictly on the basis of first come first serve basis as per the available priority list. The consumer shall arrange to fix an unidirectional energy meter of adequate capacity on the generation side before interconnection point, for the purpose of recording the Solar Power produced.

(v) Plant inspection Report:

The Nodal officer or an officer authorised by hirri along with the field engineer, shall test the Renewable Energy System in the presence of the applicant as per the provisions of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply), Regulations, 2010, Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013 and Solar Power Regulations-2015 and issue findings report to the consumers for compliance if any.

(vi) Approval for Grid connectivity:

The Sub - Divisional Engineer, on receipt of compliance report from the consumer, shall put up a comprehensive report to the nodal officer through proper channel, seeking approval for connectivity. The report shall contain the details such as intervening Sub-Station, feeder with voltage level and the distribution transformer with capacity, work completion report, test reports etc.

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to Government (Power) as the case may be and issues approval letter to the Divisional Engineer for extending grid connectivity.

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In the mean time, the consumer shall arrange to provide a bidirectional energy meter of makes : Secure, Genus, HPL and oftype and capacity as specified by the Sub-Divisional Engineer/ O&M/ LT Metering/ HT Metering along with the Grid connectivity Agreement duly signed by the consumer at the O/o of Sub­Divisional Engineer. On receipt of the meter, the SOE shall arrange to get the meter tested from the HTM/LTM Laboratory of Electricity Department and arrange to s ubmit the Agreement to the Nodal officer for obtaining the signature of SE cum HOD. Thereafter, on obtaining necessary approval for extending grid connectivity, the bi-directional energy meter got tested at the laboratory shall be fixed and sealed at the

consumer premises and the plant will be treated as commissioned from that day onwards. The consumer shall be advised to obtain the model grid connectivity Agreement copy from the office of the nodal officer.

3.0 Connectivity - Safety compliance Requirement.

(i) The interconnection point shall be at the location, where the point of electrical service connection exists.

(ii) The automatic isolation or islanding protection of Solar Plant should be ensured within the required response time, in case of no grid supply, low or over voltage conditions etc.,. Adequate rated fuses and fast acting circuit breakers on input and output side of the inverters and disconnect/isolating switches to isolate DC and AC system for maintenance shall be provided. The consumer should provide for all internal safety and protective mechanisms for earthing, surge, DC ground fault, transients etc.

(iii) To prevent back feeding and possible accidents when maintenance works are carried out by authorized personnel of the Distribution Licensee, Double pole/Triple pole with neutral isolating or Four pole disconnect switches which can be locked by Distribution Licensee personnel should be provided. Responsibility of handling I maintaining such disconnect switches will be the responsibility of the Owner of the premises in whose premises this Switch is installed. This disconnecting switch is in addition to automatic sensing and isolating device on grid supply failure, and also is in addition to any other internal disconnect switches provided or needed to be provided keeping in view the safety of humans and animals. In the event of LT/HT supply failure from the end of the Distribution Licensee, the consumer has to ensure that there will not be any Solar Power being fed to the LT/HT grid of Distribution Licensee. The Prosumer I Producer is solely responsible for any accident to human beings I animals whatsoever (fatal /non-fatal /departmental /non-departmental) that may occur due to back feeding from the Solar Plant when the grid supply is off. Distribution Licensee reserves the right to disconnect the installation at any time in the event solar power plant damaging to its grid or meter etc. or to prevent any accident or damage.

(iv) The Solar Power Generator (SPG) may establish grid interactive solar power plant in the Rooftop or elevated surface with the following options:

i. Grid interactive Solar Plant without battery. ii. Grid interactive Solar Plant with battery backup.

However, in both the options, features as per the Grid connected Solar Power regulations 2015 shall be made available so as to ensure islanding of the Solar Plant and prevent back feeding to Grid system of the Distribution Lkensee. In case of Grid interactive solar plant with battery backup, an automatic isolating switch shall be provided at appropriate location to make islanding of the consumer load from the Grid in the event of grid failure.

(v) The inverter standards shall be as per the regulation and it should not allow Solar Power I battery power to extend to Distribution Licensee's grid on failure of grid supply, irrespective of the connectivity options. The Consumer shall utilize the same service line for excess power injection into the Grid which is currently being used by the consumer for drawl of power from the Distribution licensee's grid and shall operate in synchronization with the grid system. The technical standard requirements of the solar plant are given in Annexure -IV.

(vi) On inslallation of the Renewable Energy System, the bi-directional energy meter procured and provided by the prosumer shall be tested and insta11ed by the licensee as per CEA ( Installations and operations of Meters) Regulations, 2006 and amendment regulation 2010.

4.0 The Sub-Divisional Engineer/ Operation & Maintenance, shall arrange to take the reading of the solar

meter fixed in all the grid connected solar PV Power Plants within their jurisdiction on 28th day and submit the same before 30th day of every month , to the office of the nodal officer. Further, the Sub-Divisional Engineer/ O&M, shall arrange to submit half yearly report ending September and March months of the respective year, on the details of update distribution transformer level capacity available in their jurisdictional area for connecting the prospective solar power projects.

5.0 The other relevant regulatory requirement of Hon'ble Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the

State of Goa and UTs, which are not specifically mentioned in these guidelines, shall be adhered to.

6.0 This guidelines are only indicative purpose and all practical purpose, the provisions in the JERC (Solar Power - Grid Connected Ground Mounted and Solar Rooftop and Metering Regulations) and Solar Power Tariff and amendments made thereon shall prevail and be complied with.

******

ANNEXURE-1 APPLICATION FORM FOR SETTING UP OF

GRID CONNECTED SOLAR PV POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

To Date: The Assistant Executive Engineer I Assistant Engineer Name of jurisdiction O&M area, Electricity Department, Puducherry/ Karaikal/ Mahe/Yanam.

I I We herewith apply for a Solar Energy Gross Metering I Net Metering I Group Net metering connection for the Solar Power Project of which details are given below:

Details furnished

1

Details required

Name of Applicant

2 Address of applicant

Address at which Solar Plant is to be installed3

Service connection number (if any) If there is other Electricity Connection in the

4

5 name of the applicant, please provide details

Is it for an individual premises/Group/ society 6

Land Line Number(s) 7

Mobile Phone Number8

Email Contact if available9

Solar Plant Installed Capacity kWp 10

Solar Inverter capacity, make & type

Solar power Project inverter has automatic

11

12 isolation protection (Yes/No)

13 Solar Generation Meter installed (Yes/No)

Expected date of commissioning of Solar PV Project 14

Concerned Safety Requirement fulfilled (Yes/No)15

Accl:'ll:'ra ll:'u Ul:' f.Jll:'ddliuH ddiL11eu (Ye:. /Nu) 16

Subsidy availed (Yes/No)

Details of other service connections in the name

17

18 of prosumer within UT of Puducherry

DECLARATION I do hereby declare that the information furnished above is true to my knowledge and belief.

Signature with Name : Position if on behalf of a Group or a Society

5

Address: ANNEXURE - II

Technical Feasibility Report

1. Applicant details: Name of the Consumer Address Telephone Mobile E-mail address Service connection Policy Contracted Sanctioned load (KW) (A) :

2, Existing Service Connection Meter (s) details: Meter Make and Type Serial Number Voltage Capacity

3. Distribution Transformer details: Name of the distribution transformer (DTR) Location of DTR Name of the · HT feeder

DTR capacity in KV A (B)

Voltage ratio of the DTR

Solar PV connection already connected to this DTR: Solar PV capacity already connected to this DTR in KW (C):

Proposed Solar PV capacity in KW (D)

Total Solar PV capacity including the proposed new capacity (E = C + D )

Technical Feasibility Check:

a. Is, the total solar PV capacity (E) in kW is not more than 30% rap acity in KVA (B) [E <= Bx 30%] : Yes/No.

of the DTR

b.

c.

Is, the proposed so1ar PV capacity in KW (D) equal to or less th~, the sanctioned load of the service connection in KW(A) (D <=A): Yes/No.

ls the proposed solar L-'V sys tem \~onned.iv 1 ty l.echni,cally feasible i Y~l:i/Nu .

In view of above the proposed solar PV capacity/addition is: Technically feasible / Not feasible. (strike out whichever is not applicable).

DATE: SIGNATURE OF THE SUB-DIVISIONAL OFFICER ( with stamp)

6

WORK COMPLETION REPORT ANNEXURE- Ill

(To be submitted by consumer)

A. SOLAR PV MODULE

1. Model No.

2. Total capacity in KWp

3. Make

4. Type of Module

5. No. of Modules

6. Capcity of each module

7. No. of series & paralle l

8. Module Efficiency

9. RFID tag

10. Test certificate deta ils

a. No. & Date of issue

b. Certifying Agency

c. Validy

Enclose test certification report.

B. POWER CONDITIONING UNIT/ INVERTER

1. Model No.

2. Serial No.

3. Capacity in KWp

4. Make

5. No. of inveters

6. Input voltage to inverter

7. Test certificate details

a. No. & Date of issue

b. Certifying Agency

c. Validy

Enclose test certification report.

C. CABLES : DC

1. Make

2. Size & Type

3. Rated voltage

D. CABLES : AC

1. Make

2. Size & Type

3. Rated voltage

E. DC DISTRIBUTION BOX

1. Make

2. SI.No.

3. DC surge Protection Device

4. MCB/lsolator quantity &

Capacity

F. AC DISTRIBUTION BOX

1. Make

2. SI.No.

3. AC surge Protection Device

4. MCB/lsolator quantity &

Capacity

G. EARTHING

1. Size of the earth flat

2. Earthing test report

a. Applied volt

b. No. of earth pits

Location Values

Earth pit 1

Earth pit 2

Earth pit 3

H. PRE COMMISSIONING TEST REPORT

a. DC Test report --­

Inverter Nu. ~tri ng No. Pularlty Voe

b. AC Test report

Phase sequence

L1-N volts L2-N volts L3-N volts L1-L2 volts L2-L3 volts L1-L3 volts

f. BIDIRECTIONAL ENERGY METER

1. Serial No.

2. Make

3. Capacity

4. Single/ Three Ph.

5. CT Ratio

7. Date of test by Lab, EDP.

J. CAUTION SIGNS

Size of the caution label : 105 mm x 20 mm (WxH), with white letters on a red background.

a. Panels

b. Inverters

c. DC/AC Distribution box

K. DRAWINGS

Enclosed the SLD of the plant

Certified that the above said Rooftop solar PV system has been installed by me and the equipment's

used comply the technical and safety standards issued under CEA regulations.

Licensed supervisor System Installer

Signature Signature

Name Name

Seal Seal

Date Date

Consumer

Signature

Name

Date

q

Annexure IV Technical Requirements for Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants

The quality of equipment used in grid connected solar photovoltaic power projects shall comply with the technical parameters as specified by MNRE from time to time. The current parameters are as indicated for reference:

1. SPV Modules

The SPV modules used in the grid connected solar power projects must qualify to the latest edition of any of the following IEC PV module qualification test or equivalent BIS standards. Each PV module used in any solar power project must use a RF identification tag

Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Modules : IEC 61215 Thin Film Modules : IEC 61646 Concentrator PV modules : IEC 62108

In addition, SPV modules must qualify to IEC 61730 for safety qualification testing at lOOOV DC or higher. The modules to be used in a highly corrosive atmosphere throughout their lifetime must qualify to IEC 61701.

2. Power Conditioners/ Inverters

The Power Conditioners/ Inverters of the SPV power plants must conform to the latest edition of IEC/ equivalent Standards as specified below:

Efficiency Measurements : IEC 61683 Environmental Testing : IEC 60068-2/IEC 62093 EM Compatibility (EMC) . : IEC 61000-6-2, IEC 61000-6-4 & Other relevant parts

of IEC 61000 Electrical safety : IEC 62103/ IEC 62109-1&2 Anti-Islanding Protection : IEEE 1547/IEC 62116/UL 1741 or equivalent BIS

Standards.

3. Other Sub-systems/ Components:

The other subsystems/components used in the SPV power plants such as Cables, Connectors, Junction Boxes, Surge Protection Devices, etc. must also conform to the relevant international/ national Standards fur Elecl:rical Safety. It is recommended that the Cables of 600-1800 Volts DC for outdoor installations should comply with the BS EN 50618:2014 I 2pfg 1169/08.2007 for service life expectancy of 25 years.

4. Test certificates

The PV modules / Power Conditioners deployed in the power plants must have valid test certificates for their qualification as per above specified IEC/ BIS Standards by one of the NABL Accredited Test Centres in India. In case of module types like Thin Film and CPV I equipment for which such Test facilities may not exist in India at present, test certificates from reputed ILAC Member Labs abroad will be acceptable.