Bengaluru: Residents who invested lakhs of rupees in installing rooftop solar systems urged Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to waive the fixed minimum charges levied on solar consumers, saying that would do more to promote clean energy than reducing the tariff paid for surplus electricity exported to the grid.In a draft notification, KERC proposed a significant reduction in tariffs paid for electricity generated from rooftop solar systems, citing a sharp decline in the cost of solar equipment and installation over the years. For domestic consumers installing rooftop solar systems of up to 10 kW, the tariff has been proposed at Rs 3.03 per unit, down from the current Rs 3.86 — a reduction of nearly 22%. The revised tariff, if approved, will apply to new installations commissioned from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.Residents who installed rooftop solar systems under PM Surya Ghar Yojana said exporting surplus electricity has already become less rewarding because of low export tariffs and fixed minimum charges. Instead of reducing tariff, they said, KERC should waive or substantially reduce the fixed minimum charge to improve financial viability of rooftop solar systems.CN Srinivasa, a resident of JP Nagar 7th Phase who installed 16 panels with a total of 6 kW capacity, said the proposed tariff reduction would be another setback for households that invested in renewable energy. “Tariff has come down from around Rs 9 per unit a decade ago to Rs 3-4 per unit now. Many of us invested lakhs of rupees to switch to solar power. Instead of encouraging alternative energy sources, govt seems to be penalising those who made the transition,” he pointed out.A JP Nagar resident, who did not want to be named, questioned the disparity between the rate at which electricity supply companies (Escoms) buy surplus solar power and the tariff consumers pay for grid-drawn electricity. “If Escoms are selling electricity to us at a certain rate, the rate at which they procure power from us should be comparable, if not the same. If that is not possible, KERC should at least provide relief by waiving fixed minimum charges,” he said.Sivaraman Hariharan, a resident of Kasturi Nagar, said he hasn’t been able to obtain details on utilisation of fixed charges collected by Bescom despite filing RTI applications. He also questioned whether rooftop solar systems were adopted by Bescom officials. “If rooftop solar is being promoted among residents, officials should lead by example by installing such systems in their own homes,” he said.
