Month in a Minute: Top Headlines from the Indian Renewable Sector in February 2026

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Project Finance Brief: Arevon Energy Secures $183 Million for Solar Project

Funding and M&A Roundup: SolarAfrica Energy Secures $39 Million

UltraTech to Procure Solar Power from AMPIN SPV’s 30 MW Project

Bihar Announces Generic Renewable Energy Tariffs for FY 2026

Rooftop Solar Installations Under PM Surya Ghar Reach 3 Million

Terra Clean Issues Tender for 291 Transformers for Renewable Energy Projects


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					</table><p>The Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://terc.tripura.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TERC</a>) has issued the third amendment to the Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2011.</p>
<p>The amended regulations aim to incorporate the Indian government’s Ease of Living directives for consumers. They also address specific operational and regulatory requirements raised by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation (TSECL) and Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA).</p>
<p>The Ease of Living directives aim to reduce timelines for new connections, simplify rooftop solar installation, enable consumer choice in flats, ensure transparent billing, and mandate meter installations for compliance verification.</p>
<p><strong>Contracted Load-Based Supply</strong></p>
<p>The latest amendments revise the supply voltage levels based on contracted load as follows:</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-91286 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3.png" alt="Tripura: Electricity Supply Voltage Levels by Contracted Load " width="903" height="303" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3.png 903w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3-300x101.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3-768x258.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3-650x218.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3-624x209.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture1-3-600x201.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 903px) 100vw, 903px" /></a> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Service Connection Charges</strong></p>
<p>The amendments clarify that consumers must pay service charges for new electricity connections. Distribution companies (DISCOMs) will set connection charges based on load, category, and average connection cost in electrified areas with approved or contracted loads of up to 150 kW.</p>
<p>These charges must be paid at the time of application and apply to loads of up to 150 kW.</p>
<p><strong>Scheduling Inspection</strong></p>
<p>The amended regulations mandate that DISCOMs set inspection times for consumers’ premises after they apply for a new connection. The DISCOMs must inform the consumers of these timings.</p>
<p>No field connection will be required for new connections with a sanctioned load of up to 150 kW.</p>
<p><strong>Demand Note</strong></p>
<p>The amendments update the time limits for DISCOMs to issue demand notes after receiving consumer applications.</p>
<p>Demand notes for high-tension (HT) connections in Class-I cities and urban areas must be issued within 15 working days, and in rural areas within 20 working days.</p>
<p>For extra-high-tension (EHT) connections, demand notes must be issued within 30 working days in all areas.</p>
<p><strong>Flexibility of Work</strong></p>
<p>Applicants can undertake certain connection-related works themselves. This is subject to work to be completed under the supervision of the DISCOM’s authorized official. Consumers must complete the work using authorized contractors and standard materials in compliance with technical specifications. They must submit the documents and certifications to confirm that the work meets regulatory and safety standards.</p>
<p><strong>New Connections Timeline</strong></p>
<p>The timeline for releasing new electricity connections is as follows:<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-91287 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2.png" alt="Tripura: Timelines for Releasing New Electricity Connections" width="868" height="534" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2.png 868w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2-300x185.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2-768x472.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2-650x400.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2-624x384.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture2-600x369.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Temporary Connections</strong></p>
<p>The amendments state that a temporary electricity connection will be granted for the exact period requested by the applicant. If the applicant needs electricity beyond the originally approved period, they must apply for an extension.</p>
<p><strong>Connection Through Independent Feeder</strong></p>
<p>The amended regulations mandate metering at the substation for HT and EHT connections through independent feeders, instead of at the consumer’s premises.</p>
<p>The meters installed at DISCOM substations will be treated as the official meters for billing purposes.</p>
<p><strong>Load Factor</strong></p>
<p>The load factor per consumer category is as follows:</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture3.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-91288 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture3.png" alt="Tripura: Load Factor by Consumer Category" width="570" height="555" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture3.png 570w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Picture3-300x292.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px" /></a></p>
<p>Last November, TERC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tripura-regulator-amends-rooftop-solar-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the first amendment of the TERC (The Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic System under Gross/Net Metering) Regulation, 2024.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable sector.</p>


Tripura Issues Third Amendment to 2011 Electricity Supply Regulations


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					</table><p>The Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://terc.tripura.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TERC</a>) has capped the net energy credits at a maximum of 3.8 units per kW per day for solar systems installed by domestic, irrigation, and water works consumers.</p>
<p>The Commission has issued the first amendment of the TERC (The Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic System under Gross/Net Metering) Regulation, 2024. The regulations will be effective from the date of publication in the Tripura Gazette.</p>
<p>The TERC has revised the capacities permitted for gross or net metering.</p>
<p>For individual net metering, the minimum eligible capacity remains 1kW. The maximum capacity allowed has been reduced to 10 kW from the earlier 500 kW.</p>
<p>For multiple net metering points of an individual and for group metering, the minimum allowed capacity is 5 kW, with a maximum of 500 kW. This has been retained without any changes.</p>
<p>For gross metering, the minimum permissible capacity has been increased to &gt;10 kW from the earlier 1 kW. The maximum allowed capacity is reduced to 500 kW and above from 5 MW.</p>
<p>For all cases, the capacity is capped at the contracted load/demand of the consumer.</p>
<p>It has also amended the permissible capacity under different voltage levels as follows:<a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-86409 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1.png" alt="" width="770" height="330" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1.png 770w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1-300x129.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1-768x329.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1-650x279.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1-624x267.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Tripura-1-600x257.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" /></a>The regulations have also been amended to conduct energy settlement and billing every quarter, rather than monthly.</p>
<p>In instances where energy import or consumption exceeds export within a billing month, prosumers must pay for the net energy at the applicable retail supply tariff determined by TERC. When energy export exceeds import, the distribution company (DISCOM) must compensate the prosumer monthly for the surplus energy at the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) set by the Commission.</p>
<p>The Commission stated that the FiT must be 35% of the average cost of supply of the financial year, as determined by the Commission, during which the rooftop solar projects are commissioned under the net metering arrangement for a domestic category consumer.</p>
<p>For irrigation activities through solar energy/water works under the solar energy category, the FiT must be 17% of the average cost of supply for the financial year, as determined by the Commission, during which the rooftop solar projects are commissioned under a net metering arrangement.</p>
<p>The amendment also introduced an application fee payable to DISCOM for the approval/processing of a grid-connected rooftop solar project under the net/gross metering framework.</p>
<p>The application fee applicable is as follows:</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Table1triputa.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-90136 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Table1triputa.jpg" alt="" width="622" height="345" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Table1triputa.jpg 622w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Table1triputa-300x166.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Table1triputa-600x333.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 622px) 100vw, 622px" /></a></p>
<p>The Commission has further clarified that for domestic, irrigation, and water works consumers using solar energy, if the electricity exported to the grid exceeds consumption during a billing period, the excess generation above 100 units will be compensated quarterly by the DISCOM at the FiT determined by the TERC. A generation cap of 3.8 units per kW per day of the approved installed capacity will apply.</p>
<p>Additionally, net energy credits of less than 100 units in any billing period will be carried forward to subsequent periods until a total of 100 units is accumulated. For other consumer categories, the same 3.8 units/kW/day cap applies; however, any surplus energy remaining at the end of the billing period will lapse, and no payment will be made for such excess.</p>
<p>In October 2025, the Ministry of Power <a href="https://mercomindia.com/power-ministry-urges-states-to-scrap-separate-net-metering-agreements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urged</a> all states and union territories to scrap separate net-metering contracts for residential rooftop solar consumers and adopt a digital agreement as part of the online application. It also advised utilities to waive various charges for rooftop solar installations, including application and registration fees, net-meter testing fees, and commissioning fees.</p>
<p>In May 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-clarifies-net-billing-and-metering-provisions-under-almm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clarified</a> that net billing, virtual net metering, and group net metering will also be treated on par with net metering provisions under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers List-II.</p>
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Tripura Regulator Issues Rooftop Solar Rules, Caps Net Energy Credits


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					</table><p>Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://terc.tripura.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TERC</a>) has mandated the state distribution licensees (DISCOMs) to allow net metering arrangements for eligible consumers up to 85% of the rated capacity of the distribution transformer under the new net metering guidelines.</p>
<p>The Commission has granted DISCOMs the authority to permit net metering connectivity beyond the threshold based on a detailed load study.</p>
<p>Additionally, the DISCOMs must provide annual information on transformer-level capacity available for connecting grid interactive rooftop solar systems under net metering arrangements, which will be published on its website and shared with the Commission.</p>
<p>The regulatory body has made a few other significant amendments to the guidelines to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems, specifically focusing on group and virtual net metering arrangements.</p>
<p>The amended guidelines, titled &#8220;Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering for Renewable Energy) (First Amendment) Guidelines, 2023,&#8221; came into effect on June 23, 2023.</p>
<p>Under the new guidelines, unadjusted net credited units of electricity limited to 25% of the total units generated during the financial year by an eligible consumer will be purchased by the DISCOMs at the approved average power purchase cost for the respective year.</p>
<p>However, any excess unadjusted net credited units above 25% of the total units generated during the year will be considered unwanted/inadvertent injunction and will not be eligible for payment by DISCOMs.</p>
<p>As per the revised guideline, renewable energy systems commissioned until March 31, 2026, under the TERC (Net Metering for Grid Interactive Rooftop Solar System) Regulations, 2016, will be exempted from payment of wheeling charges, banking charges, cross-subsidy charges, and any other charges as determined by the Commission during their useful life.</p>
<p>The exemption is expected to provide additional financial incentives for consumers adopting renewable energy systems.</p>
<p>The revised guidelines are expected to streamline the process for net metering and virtual net metering arrangements, offering consumers increased flexibility and financial benefits.</p>
<p>By incentivizing the installation of rooftop solar systems, Tripura aims to harness the abundant solar potential in the region and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.</p>
<p>To make it attractive for a group of village households to install rooftop solar, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-group-virtual-net-metering-rooftop-rural-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> standard operating procedures for virtual and group net-metering.</p>
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Tripura Allows Net Metering for Consumers Up to 85% of Transformer Capacity

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