Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has released the Draft Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Photovoltaic (DSPV) Plants) Regulations, 2026, which mandate installation of batteries for DSPV plants above 10 kW capacity and allow installation of solar panels on building facades and group metering.

The proposed regulations will eventually replace the existing Rooftop Solar Regulations of 2016. Consumers installing DSPV systems above 10 kW capacity under specified metering arrangements will be required to install hybrid inverters and battery energy storage systems with minimum storage capacity equivalent to 20% of the plant’s generation potential, as per the draft regulation.

“When batteries are installed, they store the excess power trapped. Usually fewer people stay at home in the afternoons hence the consumption of energy is low. Once they return from home in the evening, they can use power from batteries instead of drawing from the grid. This will help to enhance grid reliability,” said P. Ravikumar, Chairman, KERC.

“Besides, we have allowed people to take up Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering formally. This will enable multiple consumers to share the benefits of a common solar installation. This is expected to facilitate wider adoption of solar energy, particularly in apartment complexes, group housing societies and institutional campuses,” he added.

The regulations further allow installation of solar systems on building facades and elevated structures within consumer premises, thereby providing greater flexibility for solar deployment in urban areas, sources said.