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A group of solar prosumers in Kerala are challenging the imposition of fixed charges on electricity generated and consumed on-site through their own solar systems | Photo Credit: KK Mustafah/businessline
A group of solar prosumers has filed a writ petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the state’s electricity board for imposing fixed charges on electricity generated and directly consumed by prosumers through their own on-grid solar systems.
The petition said that while these solar systems remain connected to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) grid (on-grid), the portion of electricity generated and immediately consumed within the premises belongs solely to the prosumer and does not constitute a supply from KSEB.
Imposing fixed charges on this self-consumed energy without any specific provision in the Electricity Act, 2003, or any tariff order approved by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) is arbitrary, unauthorised, and violative of constitutional and statutory protections.
Jameskutty Thomas, coordinator of Kerala Domestic Solar Prosumers Committee, submitted that prosumers who invest significantly in renewable energy infrastructure are unfairly treated on par with ordinary consumers relying entirely on grid supply.
Fixed charges are being levied even on the energy not supplied by KSEB, violating Section 45 of the Electricity Act and KSERC’s regulations. No legal authority, tariff order, or regulation permits such billing practices.
It is also pointed out that the demand for security deposits calculated on total consumption — including self-generated and consumed energy — is equally arbitrary.
The petitioners have sought a directive to KSERC to consider and decide on pending representations submitted by prosumers regarding fixed charges and security deposits, a declaration that the imposition of fixed charges on self-consumed solar energy is unconstitutional and illegal, and a refund of all unauthorised collections made from prosumers.
This case has far-reaching implications for the promotion of solar energy in Kerala and sets a precedent on the rights of renewable energy investors under India’s electricity laws, the petitioners said.
Published on June 16, 2025
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