Power distribution utilities have started buying solar electricity from consumers' rooftop plants under the newly introduced 'Net Metering' system.
According to officials, five out of six power distribution companies have signed contracts with a total of 27 consumers to procure solar electricity from their respective rooftop solar panels.
"These consumers are supplying 3.066 MW of electricity to the national grid of the distribution companies. We hope the number of consumers will rise soon as well as further increase in the volume," said an official.
The Power Division on July 28 last unveiled the "Net Metering Guideline 2018" to buy rooftop solar power from consumers.
Under the system, any consumer can set up rooftop solar system covering upto 70 percent capacity of the sanctioned load and sell the additional or unconsumed solar power after meeting his/her demand through a special meter under an exchange arrangement.
Officials said the government has initiated the move to introduce the system aiming to promote rooftop solar energy across the country as part of its plan to generate 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
There is a target to generate 3,168 MW of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021 in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well, said an official of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda).
