SRI LANKA: Soorya Bala Sangramaya (Battle for Solar Energy)

Meta Data
Draft: 
No
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Effective Start Year: 
2016
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Programme
Economic Sector: 
Power
Energy Types: 
Power, Renewable, Solar
Issued by: 
Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy
Source: 
Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority
File: 
Soorya Bala Sangramaya (Battle for Solar Energy)
Overall Summary: 
The 'Soorya Bala Sangramaya' (Battle for Solar Energy) is a new community based power generation project launched by the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy. The Programme was started in collaboration with Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO) to promote the setting up of small solar power plants on the rooftops of households, religious places, hotels, commercial establishments and industries. It is expected to add 200 MW of solar electricity to the national grid by 2020 and 1000 MW by 2025 through this intervention.
Renewable Energy
RE targets: 
It is expected to add 200 MW of solar electricity to the national grid by 2020 and 1000 MW by 2025 [...]
RE action plans: 
The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy has launched a new community based power generation project titled 'Soorya Bala Sangramaya' (Battle for Solar Energy) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO) to promote the setting up of small solar power plants on the rooftops of households, religious places, hotels, commercial establishments and industries.
Net metering: 
Under this program, the consumers will have options to generate and use electricity in their premises. In case of electricity in excess of their requirements, they can sell the excess to the national grid or bank it for later use. According to the electricity usage the customer can select a preferred option from the following three schemes: Net Metering, Net Accounting and Micro Solar Power Producer. 1) Net Metering: The customer generates electricity using solar panels fixed on their rooftops which are connected to the grid through a net metering system. The consumer has to pay only for the net amount of electricity that was consumed. If the solar electricity production exceeds the electricity consumption of the premises, the balance amount can be carried forward to future use up to 10 years. No fee will be paid for the excess electricity produced. Existing net metering customers can switch to other schemes if they wish to. However, the accumulated electricity units prior to the signing of new agreement shall not be carried forward. 2) Net Accounting: If the electricity generation of solar rooftop system is greater than the consumption, the consumer will be paid for the excess according to the below table. If the consumption is greater than the generation, the consumer shall pay for the excess consumption according to the existing electricity tariff structure. 3) Net Plus: The total electricity generation from the solar rooftop system would be purchased by the utility. The bill for electricity consumption would be paid to the utility as usual. The utility would pay the solar electricity producers for the excess electricity exported to the grid on following basis with effect from the date of agreement signed with the utility.