Rajasthan is India’s solar powerhouse. With over 2,700 peak sun hours annually, the state consistently ranks first in solar irradiance nationally. It hosts the Bhadla Solar Park — at over 2,200 MW, one of the world’s largest — and has solar renewable energy zones designated across its western desert districts. For rooftop solar installers, Rajasthan combines excellent solar resource with a three-DISCOM structure that requires separate attention for each territory.
RERC Net Metering Framework
The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has issued net metering regulations aligned with the CERC model framework. Key provisions in Rajasthan:
Residential net metering: Allowed up to the consumer’s sanctioned load. A consumer with a 5 kW sanctioned load can install up to 5 kW net-metered solar.
Commercial and industrial: Net metering allowed up to 1 MW. Above 1 MW, open access or net billing arrangements under RERC’s separate regulations apply.
Export credit: The APPC set annually by RERC — approximately Rs. 3.20 to Rs. 3.60 per unit in recent orders. This is credited against import consumption.
Settlement period: Annual in Rajasthan. Surplus export credits accumulate across the year and are reconciled at the annual settlement date. Any remaining credit after annual settlement is typically paid out at the APPC rate or carried into the next year, depending on the current RERC order.
Annual settlement advantage: Rajasthan’s strong seasonal irradiance pattern (very high summer generation, lower winter) makes annual settlement particularly valuable. Summer excess credits offset winter consumption, smoothing the annual bill.
Three DISCOMs: Territory and Process
AVVNL (Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited)
Territory: Ajmer, Bhilwara, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Tonk, Jalore, Sirohi, Baran, Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar districts.
Rooftop solar portal: Online application through AVVNL’s consumer portal.
Contact: Sub-division offices in each district for in-person applications.
JVVNL (Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited)
Territory: Jaipur (urban and rural), Alwar, Dausa, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Bikaner (partial) districts.
Rooftop solar portal: JVVNL’s consumer services portal; PM Surya Ghar applications through national portal.
Note: Jaipur Urban has high solar penetration in premium residential areas — transformer capacity checks are significant here.
JdVVNL (Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited)
Territory: Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Pali (partial), Nagaur (partial) districts — the high-irradiance western Rajasthan zone.
Rooftop solar portal: Online application available; some rural sub-divisions still process manually.
Note: Western Rajasthan’s extreme solar irradiance (2,700+ hours/year) makes JdVVNL territory particularly attractive for solar investment.
Net Metering Limits and System Sizing
| Consumer Category | Net Metering Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Up to sanctioned load | No absolute kW cap — tied to contract demand |
| Commercial LT | Up to 1 MW | RERC net metering order |
| Industrial HT | Up to 1 MW | Above 1 MW → open access |
| Agricultural | Subject to DISCOM feasibility | PM-KUSUM scheme applies here |
For residential consumers, the practical system size is limited by the sanctioned load, the available roof area, and the DISCOM’s transformer capacity check result. In parts of Jaipur and Jodhpur with high solar penetration, transformer saturation has caused DISCOMs to reduce approved system sizes.
State Top-Up Subsidy: RRECL Schemes
The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) administers state-level solar schemes that complement the central PM Surya Ghar CFA.
RRECL has historically offered additional subsidies for:
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) residential consumers
- SC/ST household categories
- Rural residential consumers in specific development programmes
The combined subsidy (central CFA + RRECL state top-up) for eligible BPL consumers in Rajasthan has made 1–2 kW systems effectively free or near-free. Always check the current RRECL notification before quoting — state subsidy amounts change annually with the budget.
RESCO Policy in Rajasthan
Rajasthan has a RESCO policy framework that allows third-party ownership (PPA-based) for commercial and industrial rooftop solar. Under RESCO in Rajasthan:
- The RESCO company installs and owns the system
- The building owner pays a PPA rate (typically Rs. 3.50–Rs. 5.00/unit)
- No PM Surya Ghar CFA applies (RESCO = non-owned)
- DISCOM approval still required for grid connection
RESCO models are more common in the commercial-industrial segment in Rajasthan, where large industrial loads and zero capital outlay requirements align.
Solar Parks and RE Zones
Rajasthan’s solar park ecosystem is relevant for large commercial and industrial installations seeking open access power:
- Bhadla Solar Park: 2,200+ MW, Barmer district — operational
- Nokh Solar Park: Jaisalmer district — under development
- RE zones: Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Pali designated for utility-scale development
For commercial consumers considering open access solar (sourcing from a solar park via wheeling), Rajasthan’s RE zone availability and RERC open access regulations are the relevant framework.
RPO Compliance
Rajasthan’s Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requires DISCOMs and large consumers (above a threshold, typically 1 MW) to source a defined percentage of their annual consumption from renewable sources. As of recent RERC orders:
- DISCOMs meet RPO partially through PM Surya Ghar and other distributed solar
- Large industrial consumers can meet RPO through rooftop solar installations or by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
For commercial installers targeting large industrial clients, the RPO compliance angle — where rooftop solar helps the client meet their RPO obligation — is a strong sales argument alongside bill savings.
Pro Tip: Annual Settlement Makes Rajasthan’s Economics Exceptional
Rajasthan’s annual settlement period combined with high peak sun hours creates a compounding advantage. Summer months generate significant surplus that banks as credits, which then offset higher winter consumption. When modelling payback periods for Rajasthan using solar design software, use monthly generation profiles and annual settlement to get accurate bill savings projections.
Permit Process in Rajasthan
Identify Your DISCOM and Portal
Confirm AVVNL, JVVNL, or JdVVNL based on the district. Access the correct DISCOM’s online portal or approach the local sub-division office.
Prepare and Submit Application
Gather load sanction letter, site plan, SLD, BIS-certified equipment datasheets, ALMM declarations (for PM Surya Ghar). Submit online with the application fee payment.
DISCOM Feasibility Check
DISCOM reviews transformer loading and issues feasibility sanction. In western Rajasthan, rural transformer capacity is usually not a constraint. In Jaipur urban, check before proposing large systems.
Install and Submit Commissioning Documents
Install using ALMM-listed, BIS-certified components. Prepare commissioning documentation: SLD, test records, equipment certifications. Notify DISCOM for inspection scheduling.
Net Meter Activation
After DISCOM inspection, the bidirectional net meter is installed (typically within 30–60 days). Annual settlement begins from the next billing cycle.
Design Rajasthan Solar Projects with Accurate Irradiance Data
SurgePV’s generation modelling uses India-calibrated irradiance data for accurate yield estimates across Rajasthan’s high-irradiance zones. Generate DISCOM-ready documentation from the same design workflow.
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Common Issues in Rajasthan Applications
Rural transformer limitations: In JdVVNL’s rural western districts, distribution transformers serving small villages may already be loaded. Net metering approvals in rural areas can be capped well below the sanctioned load. Identify this during site assessment.
JdVVNL manual sub-divisions: While JVVNL and AVVNL have largely digitised their application process, some JdVVNL sub-divisions in remote western districts still process applications manually, adding 2–4 weeks to the timeline.
ALMM recheck at commissioning: Given Rajasthan’s typically longer project timelines (especially in rural areas), ALMM lists may have updated between procurement and commissioning. Always recheck ALMM status before submitting commissioning documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the net metering limit in Rajasthan?
Residential: up to the sanctioned load. Commercial and industrial: up to 1 MW under RERC net metering regulations.
Which DISCOMs operate in Rajasthan?
AVVNL (central), JVVNL (Jaipur and east), JdVVNL (western/Jodhpur zone). Check your electricity bill to identify your DISCOM.
What is the export rate?
Approximately Rs. 3.20–3.60 per unit (RERC-set APPC, reviewed annually). Annual settlement applies in Rajasthan.
Is there a state subsidy?
RRECL offers state top-up subsidies for specific categories (BPL, SC/ST households). Check current RRECL notifications for active amounts.
