HYDERABAD ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)

FOR ON GRID SOLAR / WIND SYSTEM
(NET METERING)

OFFICE OF PLANNING & ENGINEERING, HESCO HYDERABAD

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGE NO.

A. Registration of Application 1

B. Application Processing 1-3

C. Some Important Pre-Requisites 3-4

D. Distributed Generation Facility Design and Operating Requirement 4

 Single Line Diagram 5

 Earthing Protection 5

 Equipment Earth (DC) 5

 System Earth (AC) 5

 Surge Protection 5

E. Periodical Inspections 6

F. Billing Procedure 6

G. General Guidelines 7

Appendix-A
8
Net Metering Technical Feasibility Report

Appendix-B
Inspection / Test Check Performa
9

Appendix-C
Sample Specification RE Grid Inverter for guidance purpose
10

Appendix-D
Checklist for RE Grid Safety Qualification
11

Appendix-E
Flow Chart of Interconnection Process
12

Appendix-F
Single Line Diagram of On Grid Rooftop RE System for Net Metering 13
Interconnection.
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STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)

FOR PROCESSING DISTRIBUTED GENERATION APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Alternative and Renewable
Energy Distributed Generation and Net Metering Regulation 2015) issued vide SRO-892
(1)/2015 dated 1st September, 2015 for implementing of Solar / Wind Rooftop Net Metering
policy to encourage large scale generation in the sector. In this regard following SOP is hereby
proposed for guidance of the field staff for expeditious implementation.

A. REGISTRATION OF APPLICATION

1. Any person who meets the requirements of a Distributed Generator as defined under
the Regulations 2(k) is required to submit application (as specified in Schedule-II of
Regulations duly filled along with necessary documents) in the office of HESCO’s
focal person.

The focal person for net metering program shall be the local Deputy Manager
(Operation) of the concerned Division.

2. Application can be downloaded from NEPRA’s website www.nepra.org.pk.

3. The filled-in application along-with necessary documents shall be submitted by the

intending Distributed Generator to the focal person of HESCO.

4. The focal person shall accord solar net metering approvals on a first come first
served basis until the grid connected Solar / Wind installed capacity reaches 30% of
the closest upstream distribution transformer rated capacity based on the verification
by the Assistant Manager (Operation) concerned.

5. The priority for such applications shall be maintained at division level for which a
separate register shall be maintained for solar rooftop installations.

B. APPLICATION PROCESSING

1. Within five (5) working days of receiving an application HESCO shall acknowledge its
receipt and inform the applicant whether the application is complete in all respects.
This includes verification of arrears (if any), spot inspection by the inspection
committee and submission of technical feasibility report.

2. Checks before issuing the Technical Feasibility of proposed interconnection:

i. The transformer shall be loaded (including proposed SRTPV system load) up to

80% of its capacity.

ii. Whether the proposed interconnection will require upgrading the capacity of
existing distribution network.

iii. Phase balancing to avoid unbalancing of load in secondary circuit of distribution

line.

3. In case of any missing information or documents, the applicant shall provide the
same to the HESCO office within seven (7) working days of being informed by the
office.
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4. The HESCO office shall perform an initial review to determine whether the applicant
qualifies for interconnection facility, or may qualify subject to additional requirements
provided that the initial review shall be completed within twenty (20) working days.

5. In case the initial review reveals that the proposed facility is not technically feasible,
the HESCO office shall return the application and communicate the reasons to the
applicant within three (3) working days after the completion of initial review.

6. If the HESCO office is satisfied that the applicant qualifies as Distributed Generator,
then the HESCO and the applicant shall enter into an Agreement (as per schedule-I
of regulations) within ten (10) working days and HESCO office shall send a copy of
the Agreement to the NEPRA Authority within seven (7) working days of the signing
of the Agreement. The HESCO office shall forward the application for grant of
License as specified in Schedule -III to the Authority along with following:

a. Agreement

b. Application for exemption from the requirement of section 24 of the Act as

specified in Schedule-IV,

c. Evidence of deposit of fee as may be specified by the Authority as specified in

Schedule-V

d. Affidavit by Distributed Generator as specified in Schedule-VI

7. Within seven working days of execution of the Agreement, the HESCO office shall
issue the Connection Charge Estimate to the applicant for the proposed
interconnection facility up to the interconnection point including the metering
installation.

8. The applicant shall make the payment of Connection Charge Estimate within twenty
(20) days of its issuance.

9. The HESCO office shall install and commission the proposed interconnection facility
within thirty (30) days of the payment of demand notice by the applicant provided that
the net metering arrangement shall commence upon grant of license to the
Distributed Generator in accordance with Regulation-4 of these Regulations.

10. The dedicated SDO will be competent to check the interconnection facility before
parallel operation and after its approval, the competent authority shall issue the
connection charge estimate and sign the agreement with Distributed Generators are
as per following detail:

a. If SDO or XEN (Operation) office is competent to sanction the connection in

respect of that category of consumers:

Dedicated SDO for Net

i. Interconnection facility checking/inspection by
Metering
ii. Issuance of connection charge estimate by Dy. Manager (Operation)
Dy. Manager (Opr.)
iii. Signing of agreement by Witnessed by AM (Opr.) &
LS
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b. If Manager (Operation) office is competent to sanction the connection in respect

of that category of consumers:

Dedicated SDO for Net

i. Interconnection facility checking/inspection by
Metering
ii. Issuance of connection charge estimate by Manager (Operation)
Manager (Opr.), Witnessed
iii. Signing of agreement by
by DM (Opr.) & AM (Opr.)

c. If CE (P&E) / CEO office is competent to sanction the connection in respect of

that category of consumers:

CE (P&E), Manager (Opr.),

i. Interconnection facility checking/inspection by
RM (M&T), Manager GSO
ii. Issuance of connection charge estimate by CE (P&E)
CE (P&E), Witnessed by DM
iii. Signing of agreement by
(P&E) & AM (P&E)

C. SOME IMPORTANT PRE-REQUISITES

1. Submission of Load flow study (on PSSE software) will be compulsory for all
distributed generators having installed capacity of more than 500 KW.

2. For distributed generator having capacity <500 KW may submit load flow study on
FDRANA.

3. When the accumulative capacity of (already allowed) Distributed Generators become

80% of loading capacity of installed distribution transformer, agreements with new
Distributed Generator will be signed subject to the augmentation of existing
distribution transformer on cost deposit basis by the new distributed generator.

4. The solar PV capacity shall not exceed the sanctioned load. If a consumer proposes
to install a solar PV system with the capacity that exceeds the service connection
sanctioned load, an application for EOL shall be submitted by the consumer in
addition to the solar net metering application. EOL applications shall be processed
as per the existing standard procedures.

5. Safety inspection for grid connected Solar PV installation should be obtained from
the appropriate authorities (the inspection authority) as mentioned below:
Load up to 250 kW Dedicated SDO for Net Metering
A committee comprising of the concerned Deputy Manager
Load above 250 (M&T) and Deputy Manager (Operation) along-with
kW dedicated SDO for Net Metering shall be the inspecting
authority.
Safety inspections shall be carried out by the inspection authority within 10 (Ten)
working days from the date of readiness intimation by the applicant. Safety
certificates shall be issued within 5 (five) working days from the date of safety
inspection or rectification of defects, if any.

6. Mandatory safety precautions/features which have to be taken into consideration as

part of the grid connected solar PV system installations are:
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a. An inbuilt Inverter relay which trips on grid failure and thus prevents any solar
power injection to the grid when there is no power in grid (anti-islanding
protection shall be tested by the respective officers during routine service
connection inspections), and necessary protection arrangements shall be made
when there is no grid supply on single/two/three phases. The inspection authority
shall ensure the protection before commissioning. The applicant’s installation
shall be disconnected in the event of such exigencies to prevent accident or
damage to men and material.

b. The Solar PV system should be separately grounded/ earthed. Lightning

arrestors also to be provided for SPV. Manual isolator switch with locking facility
shall be provided at “Ground Floor”.

7. A single bi-directional service connection meter shall be installed to measure import

and export (kWh) separately. For existing service connections, the uni-directional
service connection meter shall be replaced with a bi-directional service connection
meter. Bi-directional service connection meter’s accuracy and facilities shall be the
same as applicable to the standard uni-directional meters for the relevant type of
service connection and tariff.

D. DISTRIBUTED GENERATION FACILITY DESIGN AND OPERATING

REQUIREMENTS:

Pursuant to Clause-9 “Protection Requirements” of the Alternative and Renewable

Energy Distributed Generation and Net Metering Regulations, 2015 for implementing
solar roof-top net metering policy, following protection requirements are hereby proposed
to be incorporated in design of the system.

1. Single Line Diagram:

The protection and control diagrams for the interconnection of the Distributed
Generator shall be in accordance with Single Line Diagram, to be approved by the
HESCO prior to the commissioning of the system.

2. Distributed Generator shall be responsible for installation of all of the equipment and
protective devices to be used for the interconnection.

3. Earthing Protection:

A minimum of two separate dedicated and interconnected earth electrodes must be

used for the earthing of the solar PV system support structure with a total earth
resistance not exceeding 5 ohms as below:
i. Equipment earth (DC) &
ii. System earth (AC)

Both equipment earth (DC) and system earth (AC) shall be checked for proper
earthing.

 Equipment earth (DC)

All the non-current carrying metal parts such as PV modules, DCDB are bonded
together and connected to earth to prevent shocks to the manpower and
protection of the equipment.
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 System earth (AC)

All the non-current carrying metal parts such as ACDB, Lightening Arresters are
bonded together and connected to the existing earth.

4. Surge Protection:

 Surge protection shall be provided on the DC side and the AC side of the solar
system.

 The DC surge protection devices (SPDs) shall be installed in the DC distribution

box adjacent to the solar grid inverter.

 The AC SPDs shall be installed in the AC distribution box adjacent to the solar
grid inverter.

 The SPDs earthing terminal shall be connected to earth through the above
mentioned dedicated earthing system.

 The Lightening Arresters need to be provided for the SRTPV buildings which are
of more than 15 meters height only.

5. Earthing shall be done in accordance with Standard Design Instructions issued by

Chief Engineer (D&S) NTDCL.

6. The consumer shall be present at the time of synchronization of the installation.

7. The consumer shall provide suitable capacity of Porcelain Cutouts (100 Amps, or
200 Amps) to enable linemen to disconnect the installation so as to provide a safe
zone for maintenance works.

8. If the installation satisfies all the above conditions the synchronization of the SRTPV
system shall be carried out by the concerned Assistant / Deputy Manager
(Operation) along with M&T staff and dedicated SDO for Net Metering within three
(3) working days from the issue of approval for synchronizing and commissioning.

9. At the time of commissioning, the installed meters shall be jointly inspected and
sealed on behalf of both the parties and shall be tested or checked only in the
presence of consumer or his/her representatives.

10. The concerned Assistant / Deputy Manager (Operation) will issue synchronization
certificate to the applicant of the SRTPV system after synchronization and
commissioning.

E. PERIODICAL INSPECTIONS:

 Both uni-directional and bi-directional energy meters are to be tested as per

schedule by M&T staff once in 6 months.

 The inverter functionality of every installation is to be checked by M&T staff once in 6

months.
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 Periodical test reports/inspection reports shall be submitted to the concerned

Assistant Manager (Operation), Deputy Manager (Operation) and dedicated SDO for
Net Metering.

F. BILLING PROCEDURE:

 Pursuant to Clause-14 “Billing for Net Metering” of the Alternative and Renewable
Energy Distributed Generation and Net Metering Regulation 2015 for implementing
solar roof-top net metering policy, following procedure is hereby proposed to be
adopted:

 The consumer shall receive a monthly net import/export bill indicating either net
export to the grid or net import from the grid.

“Import”- means energy supplied by the HESCO grid.

“Export”- means energy delivered to the HESCO grid.

 The meter reader has to capture import & export energy and other billing parameters
recorded by the bi-directional meter.

 In case of net import bill, the Distributed Generator shall be billed for the net kWh in
accordance with applicable tariff.

 In case, the export energy is more than the import, the net kWh shall be credited
against Distributed Generator next billing cycle for future consumption, or shall be
paid by the HESCO to the Distributed Generator quarterly. Provided that where the
Distributed Generator is to be paid, the kWh in a month will be charged at the tariff of
that respective month.

 The tariff payable by HESCO shall only be the off-peak rate of the respective
consumer category of the respective month and other rates such as variable charges
for peak time, fixed charges, fuel price adjustment, duties / levies will not be payable
by the HESCO, however, the tariff once awarded to a Distributed Generator shall
remain valid for a term of the Agreement / License.

G. General Guidelines

 The applicant is required to install the SRTPV system through AEDB Approved
Vendors who has experience in design, supply and installation of SRTPV system.

 The SRTPV system should comply with the relevant IEC technical standards.

 The installation work has to be carried out as per the approved drawing and as per
standards.

 In case the installed (also read proposed) capacity of the SRTPV system is higher
than the sanctioned load of the consumer, which consequently requires an up-
gradation in the infrastructure (service line meter with CT (if required), transformer
upgrading (if required), the consumer will have to upgrade at his / her / its own cost.

 The applicant shall provide check meters when the SRTPV system is more than 20
kWp.
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Appendix –A
SOLAR NET METERING TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY REPORT

A. PARTICULARS OF THE APPLICANT:

i. Name of the Applicant:
ii. Address:
iii. Telephone No/Mobile No:
iv. Email address:
v. Reference No. of existing connection
vi. Sanctioned Load in kW (A):
vii. Applicable tariff:
viii. Detail of existing energy meter
a. Make and type.
b. Single / three phase:
c. Capacity in ampere:
d. Direct reading or CT operated:

B. NAME OF:
a. Operation Sub-Division
b. Feeder/code
c. 132/11 KV Grid Station:

C. DETAILS OF DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER:

i. Capacity of Distribution Transformer in KVA (B)
ii. Voltage ratio of Distribution Transformer
iii. Solar PV capacity already connected to this Distribution Transformer in KW (C):
iv. Proposed Solar PV capacity in KW (D):
v. Total Solar PV capacity including the proposed new capacity: (E = C + D):

Note: The proposed solar PV capacity addition is technically feasible if;

a. The total solar PV capacity (E) in kW is not more than 30% of the Distribution
Transformer capacity in KVA (B) [E <= B x 30%] and
b. The proposed solar PV capacity in kW (D) does not exceed the sanctioned load of the
service connection in kW (A) [D <= A].
D. FEEDER DETAILS (APPLICABLE FOR THE HT CONSUMERS APPLIED FOR LT
CONNECTIVITY).
i. Name of the feeder/code
ii. Name of Grid Station from which the feeder is emanating with voltage ratio
iii. Type and size of the conductor
iv. Current carrying capacity of the feeder
v. Maximum load reached on the feeder in KW
vi. Total connected Distribution Transformer capacity on this 11KV feeder (KVA)
vii. SPV generators connected on this feeder, if any, and their capacity in KW.

E. CONCLUSION:
Whether it is technically feasible to connect the proposed solar PV system to the service
connection (Yes or No):

Dedicated SDO for Net Metering_________________

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Appendix –B
INSPECTION / TEST CHECK PERFORMA

A. SERVICE CONNECTION DETAILS:

i. Name of the Consumer:

ii. Address:
iii. Telephone No/Mobile No:
iv. Email address:
v. Reference No. of existing connection
vi. Applicable tariff:
vii. Details of already existing (removed energy meter)

a. Make and type

b. Meter Readings
c. Serial number
d. Month / year of manufacture

B. DETAILS OF THE NEWLY INSTALLED BIDIRECTIONAL METER

i. Make and type

ii. Serial number
iii. Month / year of manufacture
iv. Capacity:
v. Meter constant (for CT-operated meters):
vi. Import register reading (kWh):
vii. Export register reading (kWh):
viii. Accuracy ………….

C. SOLAR GENERATION CHECK

i. Make and type

ii. Serial number
iii. Month / year of manufacture
iv. KWH Reading
v. Meter constant (for CT-operated meters):
vi. Accuracy…………

D. SOLAR GRID INVERTER

i. Make:
ii. Serial number:
iii. Capacity:
iv. Input DC voltage range:
v. Output AC voltage range:
vi. Anti-Islanding Protection Check - if the grid fails the status of the contactor (on or
off)

E. SOLAR PV MODULES

Total capacity of solar modules (kW):

Dedicated SDO for Net Metering_______________

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Appendix-C

SAMPLE SPECIFICATIONS OF SOLAR GRID INVERTER FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSE

To match Solar PV Plant Capacity while

Total Output Power (AC)
achieving optimum System Efficiency
As required for the Solar Grid Inverter DC
Input DC Voltage Range
Input
Maximum Power Point (MPPT) Tracking Shall be Incorporated
Number of Independent MPPT Inputs 1 or more
Operation AC Voltage Three Phase 415V (±5%)
Operation Frequency Range ±1% Hz
Nominal Frequency 50Hz
Power Factor of the Inverter >0.98 at nominal
Total Harmonic Distortion Less than 3%
AC High / Low Voltage; AC High / Low
Built-in Protection
Frequency
As per VDE 0126-1-1, IEC 60255.5 / IEC
Anti-Islanding Protection
60255.27
Operating Ambient Temperature Range -10 °C to +60 °C
Humidity 0-95% Rh
Inverter Efficiency
>=95%
Inverter Weighted Efficiency
Protection Degree >=94%
Communication Interface IP 65 for outdoor mounting, IP 54 for
Underwriter Laboratories, IEEE 1547 2003,
Safety Compliance
IEC 61215, EN / RS 485 / RS 232 / RJ45
Environmental Testing IEC 62109-1, IEC 62109-2
Efficiency Measurement Procedure IEC 60068-2 (1,2,14,30)
Cooling Convection
LCD for data display. LCD / LED for status
Display type
display
Output power (W), Cumulative energy (Wh),
DC Voltage (V), DC Current (A), AC Voltage
Display Parameters to include
(V), AC frequency (Hz), AC Current (A),
Cumulative hours of operation (h)

Note:
Inverter Standards
Inverter should comply with IEC 61683 for efficiency and measurement and should comply
IEC 60068-2 (1,2,14,30) Standard for environmental testing. It should also comply with
Underwriter Laboratories, IEEE 1547 2003, IEC 61215, EN or other for Electrical
Interconnection System for generating Equipment.
Inverter should supervise the grid condition continuously and in the event of grid failure
(or) under voltage (or) over voltage, Solar system should be disconnected by the circuit
breaker / auto switch provided in the inverter.
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Appendix-D
HYDERABAD ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED
CHECKLIST FOR SOLAR ROOFTOP PV GRID SAFETY QUALIFICATION
1.0 Solar RTPV – Customer and Location Data
1 Customer Name
2 Address
3 Customer Contact – Email
4 Customer Contact – Mobile No.
5 SRTPV Installer – Name & Address
6 HESCO Officer In-Charge
2.0 Component Inspection Checklist
Sr. No. Item Type Yes No
1 Installation Layout – is it as per Drawing?
2 Inverter IEC Standards Qualified
3 PV Panel IEC Standards Qualified
4 PV Isolators / PV Cables IEC Standards Qualified
5 AC Disconnect manual switch provided
6 Meters checked by M&T
7 Any other critical component IEC Standards Certified
3.0 Grid Functional Safety Checklist
Sr. No. Item Type Yes No
Check-PV Inverter and Islanding (Utility Side)
1 Disconnect Grid and Check whether PV generator seizes
generation immediately
Check reconnect time by reconnecting the Grid PV
Generator reconnects minimum 60 seconds later (Single
2
Phase) or minimum 300 seconds later (three phase
connectivity)
3 Bi-Directional flow recorded on HESCO Meter
4 Consumption (Import) only mode OK?
5 PV Inverter anti Islanding tested at array side
6 Solar Generation meter OK?
7 Check all earthings provided at ACDB / DCDB / LA

It is Certified that the PV Installation is qualified to be connected to HESCO Grid.

Dedicated SDO for Net Metering_______________________

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Appendix-E
FLOW CHART OF INTERCONNECTION PROCESS

Eligible DG Submits Application along-with required documents

APPLICATION

in HESCO’s Office (Schedule-II of Regulations)

PROCESS

No If application is incomplete,
HESCO provides acknowledgment within 5 days whether
application is complete or not. Applicant provides
documents within 7 days

If Application is Complete, HESCO performs an Initial review to

UTILITY REVIEW PROCESS

see whether it qualifies for interconnection facility whether it

qualifies for interconnection facility

No In case proposed facility is

not technically feasible,
HESCO performs technical feasibility verification within 20 days
HESCO informs about
reasons of rejection within 3
working days after
completion of initial review
If facility is Technically Feasible, HESCO approves installation
of SRTPV & enters into an agreement within 10 workings days
(Schedule-I of Regulations)

HESCO sends copy of Agreement to NEPRA within 7 working

Distributed Generator
days of its signing, HESCO shall forward the application for grant
Facility
AGREEMENT SIGNING & LICENSING

of license (Schedule-III of Regulations) Solar or Wind Energy resource

for generation of Electricity
from 1kW up to 1MW
HESCO to issue connection Charge Estimate within 7 workings
days of Agreement signing

Applicant shall make payment of estimate within 20days

HESCO shall install / commission the DG facility within 30 days Eligible Distributed
of payment of Demand Notice Generator
3 Phase 400 V, or 11 KV
Consumer i.e. Domestic,
Commercial or Industrial who
Net Metering shall commence upon grant of License to DG in owns / operate Distributed
accordance with Regulation IV of these Regulations Generation Facility
BILLING

The file is sent for billing

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Appendix-F