Petition of Hatsun Agro Product Limited for seeking directions upon MSEDCL to allow Net Metering – EQ
Summary:
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### 1. Case Background
* **Petitioner:** Hatsun Agro Product Limited (HAPL)
* **Respondent:** Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL)
* **Order Date:** 1 January 2026
* **Issue:** Whether rooftop solar under **Net Metering** can operate simultaneously with **Open Access** after notification of DOA (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023.
### 2. Project & Consumer Details
* Industrial dairy manufacturing unit at **Mangalwedha, Solapur**
* **Rooftop Solar Capacity:** 983 kW (Net Metering approved in 2022)
* **Contract Demand:** 2100 kVA (eligible under Regulation 3.2)
* **Open Access:** Captive renewable PPAs operational from **November 2023**
### 3. Core Dispute
* MSEDCL stopped Net Metering adjustments once Open Access commenced
* Rooftop generation was settled under **gross metering**
* HAPL claimed this action violated updated MERC Regulations
### 4. Petitioner’s Key Arguments (HAPL)
* DOA (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023 **explicitly allow simultaneous Net Metering and Open Access**
* Deletion of the **8th proviso of 2019 Regulations** removed mandatory gross metering
* Regulation **3.4** permits Net Metering for consumers eligible under **Regulation 3.2 or 3.3**
* Regulatory benefits cannot be denied due to procedural ambiguity or licensee delay
* Financial loss incurred since November 2023 due to incorrect billing
### 5. Respondent’s Key Arguments (MSEDCL)
* Net Metering benefit applicable only under **Green Energy Open Access (GEOA)**
* HAPL did not apply through **MSLDC portal**
* Clarificatory Petition (Case No. 232 of 2024) pending before MERC
* Existing billing methodology continued due to regulatory uncertainty
### 6. Regulatory Analysis by MERC
* **2019 Framework:** Allowed Open Access + rooftop solar only under gross metering
* **2023 Amendment Impact:**
* 8th proviso mandating gross metering deleted
* Regulation 3.4 introduced to enable **Net Metering + Open Access**
* Clear regulatory intent to promote renewable energy adoption
* Regulation 3.4 effective from **10 November 2023** and remains enforceable
### 7. On Eligibility & Procedural Compliance
* HAPL qualifies under **Regulation 3.2** due to Contract Demand > 1 MVA
* Delay in implementation of amended regulations by MSEDCL acknowledged
* Consumers cannot be penalized for licensee’s delayed regulatory adoption
* Net Metering benefit cannot be denied on procedural grounds alone
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