New tariff system for rooftop solar

With a view to incentivise the adoption of battery systems in rooftop solar systems, the Cabinet nod was granted this week to introduce a new tariff system for the rooftop solar sector, to enhance the reliability in electricity supply.
Power Minister Gamini Lokuge on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to roll out the proposed programme, in accordance with the recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to review the proposed programme.

The programme was based on the recommendations of a committee of officials appointed to identify the technical challenges that may arise in connecting a large percentage of electricity from renewable energy sources to the national grid.

After presenting the committee’s finding to the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet decided to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee on November 23, 2021, to further study the recommendations of the committee report.

Commenting on the programme, Cabinet Co-Spokesperson and Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday highlighted that the government’s decision to move ahead with the programme marks a turning page in the country’s power sector.

At the moment, the rooftop solar systems supply about 400MW to the national grid. 
The government has taken a policy decision to take the necessary steps to generate 70 percent of the country’s electricity requirement from renewable energy sources by 2030.