MNRE Clarifies ALMM Applicability for Net-Billing, Virtual Net Metering, and Govt Captive Projects
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has clarified that net-billing, virtual net metering, and group net metering will be treated at par with net-metering for ALMM exemption purposes, while government captive projects remain excluded from behind-the-meter exemptions.
May 19, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
“The virtual net metering and group net metering are models of net-metering covering a group of different consumers of the same category or the same consumer with more than one service connection, respectively. And, net-billing is a hybrid of net-metering and gross metering,” clarified the MNRE.
The clarification came in response to queries raised regarding the exemption from using solar cells in ALMM List-II for net-metering and open access RE power projects commissioned prior to June 1, 2026 and whether the same will be applicable to net-billing, virtual net metering and group net metering schemes.
Another question raised before the MNRE was whether the exemption from ALMM (both for solar PV modules and solar PV cells) granted to behind-the-meter solar power plants solely used for captive consumption by a consumer or group of consumers, is applicable to behind-the-meter connections for captive consumption of government entities or public sector enterprises?
The MNRE clarified that the government projects were covered under ALMM right from the beginning, and subsequently, open access and net-metering projects were brought under the ambit of ALMM. Therefore, the exemption provided to behind-the-meter solar power plants solely used for captive consumption by a consumer or group of consumers will not be applicable to behind-the-meter connections for captive consumption of government entities or public sector enterprises.
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