Guide · Net Metering
Virtual Net Metering for Societies & Flat Owners
Receive solar credits from a remote plant on your own electricity meter — with no rooftop space and no capital investment.
The Basics
What is Virtual Net Metering?
- A new initiative under the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) Regulations, 2024.
- Power generated at a remote solar plant is credited to multiple electricity meters across a society or building.
- Previously, apartment owners and societies had to install separate rooftop systems, which limited feasibility.
- One solar plant → many consumers → no on-site installation needed.
Process
How It Works
- A solar plant is installed off-site and feeds power into the MSEDCL grid.
- Units generated are credited directly to each participant's electricity meter.
- Members choose their annual solar allocation based on individual consumption.
- No rooftop space or capital investment is required.
- Monthly billing and crediting are managed with MSEDCL.
- Participating consumers designate a "Lead Member" to sign the agreement and receive all official communication.
- Plant capacity must not exceed the total sanctioned load of all members.
- Credits are allocated in proportion to the sharing ratio specified in the application.
- Power is first adjusted in the same time block (for ToD users); any excess is adjusted in off-peak hours.
- Units not used in a month are carried forward; unadjusted units at fiscal year-end are purchased by the DISCOM at the Average Power Purchase (APP) rate.
Time-Sensitive
Charges Currently Exempted
The current VNM policy offers full exemption from the charges below. These benefits are available only until Maharashtra reaches 5,000 MW of cumulative VNM capacity. Once approved, the agreement with MSEDCL is valid for 20 years.
- Wheeling charges
- Transmission charges
- Additional surcharges
- Banking charges
- Electricity duty
Illustration
Indicative Monthly Savings
| Units / month (kWh) | Bill without solar (₹) | Total bill with VNM (₹) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 2,742 | 2,283 | 17% |
| 450 | 6,059 | 4,075 | 33% |
| 650 | 9,848 | 5,867 | 40% |
| 8,000 | 1,52,403 | 79,356 | 48% |
Illustrative only, based on the MSEDCL tariff proposed from 1 April 2025 (FY 2025-26). Fixed charges are excluded. Actual savings depend on your tariff category, consumption and allocation.
Want to explore VNM for your society?
Treflik helps societies estimate energy needs, handle MSEDCL applications and approvals, and manage metering and billing.