Thiruvananthapuram: Solar power producers have alleged that the Regulatory Commission’s decision to fix a lower price for surplus electricity exported to the grid is in violation of its own regulations. The producers have filed a petition before the Commission challenging the decision.

For 2023–24, the Commission had fixed ₹3.26 per unit for surplus electricity. In reality, producers say they should receive ₹4.34 per unit. Since the reduction goes against the Commission’s own rules, they are demanding a review.

According to the regulations, the rate for surplus solar power must be based on the average price of all electricity purchased by KSEB in the preceding year. This average comes to ₹4.34.

However, the Commission argues that the unusually high average price that year was due to factors beyond the control of KSEB. Approving that price would be beneficial for solar producers but would place a burden on the majority of ordinary consumers, the Commission says. Therefore, the Commission fixed the rate at ₹3.26 per unit, based on the 2022–23 average of ₹8.15 per unit, adjusted for the level of price rise, it adds.

The petitioners counter that fluctuations in rainfall in Kerala are natural and cannot be cited as external, uncontrollable causes. They also state that even KSEB has not raised such a demand.

The Commission will record evidence on the complaint on December 3 in Thiruvananthapuram. The petition was filed by JMT Thomas of Kochi and V Suresh Kumar, Mohan Varghese and T. Sabu of Thiruvananthapuram.

In the recently issued new regulations, the rate for existing producers has been fixed at ₹3.08 per unit and at ₹2.79 per unit for new producers. These regulations have been stayed by the High Court.