Tajikistan simplifies connection of solar panels to power grid
Surplus electricity from renewable energy installations will now be allowed to be sold to the grid.
The Government of Tajikistan has approved new rules regulating the admission of electricity produced from renewable sources into the national energy system and its sale to consumers.
The decree, No. 449, was signed on July 1, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources said.
The document sets the procedure for connecting solar panels, small hydropower plants, wind turbines and other renewable energy facilities to the power grid. It also regulates how produced electricity will be metered and paid for.
The rules introduce the concept of an «active consumer.» This refers to an individual or organization that uses electricity mainly for its own needs but also has a renewable energy installation and can supply surplus electricity to the grid.
Renewable energy installations are divided into four categories: micro-installations with a capacity of up to 15 kW, small installations from 15 to 100 kW, medium installations from 100 kW to 1 MW, and large installations above 1 MW.
Simplified procedure for households and small businesses
For households and small businesses with installations of up to 15 kW, the rules provide for a simplified connection procedure. Applications for connection must be reviewed within no more than 10 working days.
If the installation is used only for personal needs and does not supply electricity to the grid, the owner only needs to notify the network organization. This applies to autonomous systems or installations equipped with protection that prevents reverse power flow into the grid.
If the owner plans to supply surplus electricity to the grid, technical conditions must be obtained. However, for installations of up to 15 kW, separate project approval from the energy supervision authority is not required unless otherwise provided by law.
The energy supply organization must identify the nearest technically feasible connection point. If connection is not possible because of network overload or the risk of disrupting normal operation, the applicant must receive a reasoned refusal explaining the grounds.
For household and commercial active consumers with installations of up to 15 kW, connection will be free if the connection point is technically and economically within the existing network. The energy supply organization must also cover the cost of installing and commissioning a bidirectional meter.
The rules also allow the use of standard designs for small rooftop solar systems. This is expected to simplify the process for homeowners, small commercial facilities and small businesses.
How payment for surplus electricity will work
Producers must submit a report on electricity generated in the previous month to the single buyer by the 5th day of each month.
The single buyer must then send the producer an acceptance act and calculate the payment amount by the 10th day of the month. Payment must be made no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the month in which the electricity was supplied.
Large solar and wind power plants may be selected through auctions. Winners of such tenders will sign power purchase agreements for a period of at least 15 years.
Producers must follow dispatch rules
Under the new rules, small, medium and large renewable energy installations must operate under the control of the energy system’s dispatch service.
Producers are required to follow dispatcher instructions to change operating modes, switch equipment on or off, or limit electricity generation. Exceptions are allowed only if following such an order could cause an accident or threaten human life. In such cases, the producer must warn the dispatcher, explain the refusal and record it in the dispatch log.
Large renewable energy producers must take part in preparing daily and monthly electricity generation schedules and provide hourly forecasts.
Dispatchers may temporarily limit the operation of installations if there is a risk of network overload, disruption of system stability, generation exceeding demand, or an emergency.
Network organizations will also have obligations
Network organizations must provide non-discriminatory access to electricity grids and keep the networks in a condition that allows them to receive electricity from renewable energy facilities.
They must also publish information on available connection capacity and avoid delaying connection deadlines.
In addition, network organizations are required to use metering and monitoring systems that ensure transparent accounting of electricity flowing in both directions. They must also provide consultations to active consumers through service centers or specialized technical services.
Owners of renewable energy installations will be responsible for maintaining equipment, carrying out regular technical servicing, ensuring accurate metering of electricity production and supply, complying with safety rules, and meeting environmental and social requirements.
Producers may be held liable for unauthorized connection, violation of technical requirements, inaccurate metering or failure to comply with lawful dispatcher orders.
Energy supply organizations may also be held liable for unjustified refusal to connect, delays or discriminatory conditions.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, authorized bodies and other relevant agencies must bring their departmental acts and practices into line with the new rules within six months after they enter into force.
The Government of Tajikistan has approved new rules regulating the admission of electricity produced from renewable sources into the national energy system and its sale to consumers.
The decree, No. 449, was signed on July 1, the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources said.
The document sets the procedure for connecting solar panels, small hydropower plants, wind turbines and other renewable energy facilities to the power grid. It also regulates how produced electricity will be metered and paid for.
The rules introduce the concept of an «active consumer.» This refers to an individual or organization that uses electricity mainly for its own needs but also has a renewable energy installation and can supply surplus electricity to the grid.
Renewable energy installations are divided into four categories: micro-installations with a capacity of up to 15 kW, small installations from 15 to 100 kW, medium installations from 100 kW to 1 MW, and large installations above 1 MW.
Simplified procedure for households and small businesses
For households and small businesses with installations of up to 15 kW, the rules provide for a simplified connection procedure. Applications for connection must be reviewed within no more than 10 working days.
If the installation is used only for personal needs and does not supply electricity to the grid, the owner only needs to notify the network organization. This applies to autonomous systems or installations equipped with protection that prevents reverse power flow into the grid.
If the owner plans to supply surplus electricity to the grid, technical conditions must be obtained. However, for installations of up to 15 kW, separate project approval from the energy supervision authority is not required unless otherwise provided by law.
The energy supply organization must identify the nearest technically feasible connection point. If connection is not possible because of network overload or the risk of disrupting normal operation, the applicant must receive a reasoned refusal explaining the grounds.
For household and commercial active consumers with installations of up to 15 kW, connection will be free if the connection point is technically and economically within the existing network. The energy supply organization must also cover the cost of installing and commissioning a bidirectional meter.
The rules also allow the use of standard designs for small rooftop solar systems. This is expected to simplify the process for homeowners, small commercial facilities and small businesses.
How payment for surplus electricity will work
Producers must submit a report on electricity generated in the previous month to the single buyer by the 5th day of each month.
The single buyer must then send the producer an acceptance act and calculate the payment amount by the 10th day of the month. Payment must be made no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the month in which the electricity was supplied.
Large solar and wind power plants may be selected through auctions. Winners of such tenders will sign power purchase agreements for a period of at least 15 years.
Producers must follow dispatch rules
Under the new rules, small, medium and large renewable energy installations must operate under the control of the energy system’s dispatch service.
Producers are required to follow dispatcher instructions to change operating modes, switch equipment on or off, or limit electricity generation. Exceptions are allowed only if following such an order could cause an accident or threaten human life. In such cases, the producer must warn the dispatcher, explain the refusal and record it in the dispatch log.
Large renewable energy producers must take part in preparing daily and monthly electricity generation schedules and provide hourly forecasts.
Dispatchers may temporarily limit the operation of installations if there is a risk of network overload, disruption of system stability, generation exceeding demand, or an emergency.
Network organizations will also have obligations
Network organizations must provide non-discriminatory access to electricity grids and keep the networks in a condition that allows them to receive electricity from renewable energy facilities.
They must also publish information on available connection capacity and avoid delaying connection deadlines.
In addition, network organizations are required to use metering and monitoring systems that ensure transparent accounting of electricity flowing in both directions. They must also provide consultations to active consumers through service centers or specialized technical services.
Owners of renewable energy installations will be responsible for maintaining equipment, carrying out regular technical servicing, ensuring accurate metering of electricity production and supply, complying with safety rules, and meeting environmental and social requirements.
Producers may be held liable for unauthorized connection, violation of technical requirements, inaccurate metering or failure to comply with lawful dispatcher orders.
Energy supply organizations may also be held liable for unjustified refusal to connect, delays or discriminatory conditions.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, authorized bodies and other relevant agencies must bring their departmental acts and practices into line with the new rules within six months after they enter into force.
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