ERC seeks to amend net metering rules

THE Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday issued a notice of public discussion on the ERC website on a proposal to close an apparent loophole in net metering rules that could make private owners who ‘export’ excess electricity to the grid eligible for subsidies intended for poor consumers.

At issue is ERC Resolution 9, series of 2013, which established the rules for ‘net metering,’ a system by which users with their own power supply—typically solar—can transfer the excess to the local distribution grid, which is credited against power they consume from outside.