The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has issued a clarification regarding the grid support charge (GSC), stating that it applies exclusively to rooftop solar users with a sanctioned load exceeding 10 kilowatts. The company emphasized that only 2.5% of domestic rooftop solar users are liable to pay the charge, contrary to claims by certain groups that it affects all such users.
Scope of the Grid Support Charge
According to MSEDCL, the state has a total of 3.17 crore electricity consumers, of which only 44,246 consumers have been brought under the GSC ambit. This accounts for merely 0.14% of the total consumer base. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) mandated the GSC for consumers with rooftop solar power generation systems and a sanctioned load above 10 kilowatts. MSEDCL stated that the charge has been implemented strictly in accordance with MERC's tariff order dated March 25, 2026.
Domestic Consumers
Among the 2.37 crore domestic electricity consumers in the state, around 6.57 lakh have installed rooftop solar systems. MSEDCL highlighted that the GSC has been levied on only 16,410 domestic solar consumers, which is 2.49% of domestic solar users and barely 0.07% of the total domestic consumer base.
Industrial Consumers
In the industrial category, the state has around 4.45 lakh consumers, including high tension (HT) and low tension (LT) consumers. Out of these, the GSC will be levied on only 8,894 consumers, or nearly 2%.
Commercial Consumers
MSEDCL serves around 23.30 lakh consumers in the commercial category. Of these, only 12,832 consumers, accounting for 0.55%, are liable to pay the GSC.
Background of the Grid Support Charge
MSEDCL further pointed out that MERC first approved the GSC concept in 2019, stating that the charge would be implemented once rooftop solar capacity in the state crossed 2,000 MW. The threshold was later increased to 5,000 MW in 2023. The surcharge came into effect after Maharashtra crossed the 5,000 MW rooftop solar capacity mark earlier this year.
Benefits for Rooftop Solar Consumers
Meanwhile, MSEDCL maintained that rooftop solar consumers continue to receive significant financial benefits through net metering. Over the last year, around 4.90 lakh rooftop solar consumers received benefits worth Rs129.57 crore for supplying excess electricity to the grid. Of these, 4.72 lakh domestic consumers alone received benefits amounting to Rs124.55 crore.
