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. It is expected to add 200 MW of solar electricity to the national grid by 2020 and 1000 MW by 2025 through this intervention. Under this program, the consumers will have options to generate and use electricity on 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.
Customer can select a preferred option from the following. Customer can select a preferred option from the following.
NET METERING
If the amount of electricity generated from the solar panels installed on the roof is less than the number of units consumed, then the customer pays for the change. (If there is a surplus in the number of units generated, the balance can be carried forward to compensate in the event of a shortage. The homeowner will not be paid in cash in this method)
NET ACCOUNTING
If the number of units generated by the solar panels installed on the roof is higher than the number of units used by the homeowner, the CEB will pay the homeowner for excess units. (If the amount of electricity generated in the house is less than the amount used, the homeowner must pay the board)
NET PLUS
The total number of units produced by the solar panel installed on the roof is purchased by the CEB and paid for by the homeowner. (The electricity bill will be calculated as it is currently being calculated and the amount should be paid to the CEB)
Benefits to the consumer Benefits to the consumer
- Ability to recover the entire cost through savings on your electricity bill.
- Ability to get loan facilities with up to 10 years repayment plans from both government and private banks.
- You will be able to settle the loan that you obtained by the additional income you get from power generation.
- For every extra unit of electricity you generate, you will receive Rs.37 till 20 years.
Benefits for the country Benefits for the country
- Solar power is completely free and freely available. No Fossil fuels are burnt in the production of energy and the negative impacts on the environment can be reduced.
- The release of CO2 will be reduced by more than 150,000 metric tonnes per year.
- It is easy to maintain the balance of the electrical system.
- The distribution and the transmission of power is efficiently maintained.
- Enables the power generation capabilities to the entire population which is currently limited to large-scale businesses.
- Provide National Electricity Security as small scale power generation systems are distributed across the country.
- Ability to reduce the disparity in the income distribution of the country as a large number of consumers make additional incomes through power generation.
- Ability to add 1000 MW to the national grid by 2025.
- The emergence of this sector will, directly and indirectly, create a large number of new job opportunities.
