UERC Rejects Bid to Lower Solar Power Output Benchmark in Uttarakhand
The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission has dismissed a solar developers' body's petition seeking a cut in the normative capacity utilisation factor for solar projects from 19% to 17%.
Current Summary
According to a SolarQuarter report, the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has dismissed a review petition filed by the RE Power Generators Society seeking a reduction in the normative Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) for solar power projects in the state from 19% to 17%, along with a corresponding increase in the generic solar tariff. The order was passed by a bench comprising UERC Chairman M.L. Prasad, Member (Law) Anurag Sharma, and Member (Technical) Prabhat Kishor Dimri, after hearing arguments on the maintainability of the review petition. The society had argued that the 19% benchmark does not reflect Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain, which causes horizon shading and makes optimal south-facing panel orientation difficult, and cited RTI data from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) suggesting older polysilicon plants achieve around 17% CUF and newer monosilicon plants around 15%. It also pointed to a 17% benchmark used nationally by the Central Electricity Authority. UPCL contested the petition.
What We Know
- UERC dismissed the RE Power Generators Society's review petition seeking to lower the solar CUF benchmark from 19% to 17%.
- The order was issued by the same three-member UERC bench that recently ruled on the open-access surcharge.
- The petitioner cited terrain-related shading and RTI data on actual plant performance; UPCL opposed the petition.
What Is Still Unclear
- Full reasoning in the commission's order and whether the society plans to appeal.
What Changed
- 1 Oct, 05:31 amSignal detected: UERC Rejects Bid to Lower Solar Power Output Benchmark in Uttarakhand