The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC, Gujarat, India) has proposed new feed-in tariff (FIT) levels for solar power projects to be commissioned from January 29th, 2012 through March 31st, 2015.

The proposed tariff levels range from INR 10.27/kWh (USD 0.210/kWh) to INR 13.14/kWh (USD 0.268/kWh), divided into three tranches: solar photovoltaic (PV) projects larger than 100 kW, rooftop PV projects smaller than 100 kW, and concentrating solar power (CSP) projects.

GERC will accept comments on proposed FIT levels through December 1st, 2012.

CSP to receive higher payments than PV

Under the new proposal, CSP projects will be eligible to receive levelized tariff payments between USD 0.252/kWh and USD 0.266/kWh, compared to payments of USD 0.210/kWh to USD 0.221/kWh for PV projects larger than 100 kW.

These tariff levels represent a reversal over earlier FIT levels, where PV was eligible for higher tariffs than CSP technologies. In a discussion paper, GERC notes that prices for PV modules and inverters have declined significantly and continue to fall.

Rooftop PV projects under 100 kW will still receive the largest FIT payments, at USD 0.255/kWh to USD 0.268/kWh.

Phased tariffs for CSP, large PV

Gujarat's FIT offers phased tariffs for CSP and large PV projects, with roughly double the payment level for the first 12 years compared to the next 13 years.

Tariff levels also vary depending on whether or not projects utilize an accelerated depreciation benefit. FIT levels are considered to decline 7% annually through 2015.

More than 965 MW of solar PPAs signed since 2009

GERC notes that since 2009, more than 80 companies have signed power purchase agreements in Gujarat for a total capacity of more than 965 MW. The agency states that it expects "a substantial fraction" of these plants to be commissioned by December 31st, 2011.

2011-11-08| Courtesy: Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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