Behind-the-Meter Captive Solar Approval in Telangana: Get Approved Fast

Behind-the-meter captive solar plant approval in Telangana can turn a cost-saving project into a pricey delay if a missing clearance prevents energisation.

HT consumers begin TGSPDCL captive solar approval with grid feasibility, zero-export controls, and reverse power relay requirements instead of industrial rooftop solar net metering Telangana. CEIG approval for a solar plant in Telangana then requires compliant drawings under CEA Regulations 30 and 43. The drawings must cover earthing and inverter duty transformer details. We complete behind-the-meter solar zero-export Telangana checks after the site inspection and arrange HT consumer solar grid synchronisation in Hyderabad. This includes prescribed TOD ABT bidirectional metering. This piece covers the full approval process so we can commission safely and avoid rework.

Step 1: Get TGSPDCL Feasibility Approval for BTM Captive Solar

Confirm your HT connection, sanctioned load and captive solar capacity.

Start by recording the Unique Service Number, HT voltage, sanctioned load, contracted demand, and proposed AC and DC solar capacities. Keep these values on one project sheet because the connection point and operating mode must be clear. The published net-metering route caps industrial, commercial, and other consumers at 80% of sanctioned load, with a 1 kWp minimum and 1 MWp maximum. That cap applies to net metering, so ask TGSPDCL in writing which capacity and arrangement it accepts for the BTM captive design. Plants above 75 kW connect as HT consumers through the serving 11 kV or 33 kV feeder.

Check how zero-export captive solar is different from net metering.

Net metering uses a DISCOM bidirectional meter to record imports and exports, and the billing process credits exported units. A behind-the-meter zero export Telangana plant serves the on-site load while controls curtail inverter output before power reverses at the grid incomer. Describe the proposal as captive self-consumption and zero export, rather than industrial rooftop solar net metering in Telangana, unless TGSPDCL confirms net-metering treatment. This difference determines the meter, protection, and single-line diagram.

Submit the grid feasibility request to your local TGSPDCL office.

Use the following filing sequence:

1. File the current grid-feasibility form at the local TGSPDCL CSC, ICSC, or through the online service-registration route. The published HT application fee is ₹15,000.

2. Attach the latest bill, fee payment, and required documents. Record the registration number and request an acknowledgement.

3. Ask the DE (Operations), which handles HT feasibility, to confirm the feeder, interconnection point, capacity, operating mode, and augmentation estimate. The published procedure gives the DE 7 working days to identify gaps and 21 working days to communicate feasibility for this application.

4. Keep the approval active. Published feasibility remains valid for four months, and any extension is capped at ten months from its first communication.

Confirm zero-export controls and reverse power relay (RPR) requirements.

Submit a preliminary SLD before filing that shows the PCC, HT incomer, CT/PT locations, inverters, controller, isolation, and any DG interface. Request TGSPDCL's written zero-export settings and RPR requirements in advance. An anti-reverse power controller measures PCC power and continuously limits inverter output to retain an import margin. An RPR detects reverse flow and trips or isolates equipment. Show both the control path and the independent trip path, including the fail-safe response when measurement or communication fails. This package provides the technical basis for CEIG drawing review.

Step 2: Submit Drawings for CEIG Approval in Telangana

Check CEA Regulations 30 and 43 against current safety rules

After receiving TGSPDCL feasibility approval, we submit the CEIG drawing set before construction begins. We verify Regulations 30 and 43 against current CEA safety rules and the Telangana inspectorate's filing procedure. If project specifications conflict, we revise the design instead of reusing a generic solar drawing.

Prepare the single-line diagram, equipment layout and cable routes.

The SLD shows the electrical path from PV strings through the inverter, isolation, protection, meter, and PCC. We label the equipment rating, model, cable size, insulation, route, and overcurrent device. We also attach the plot plan, equipment layout, and cable route map. The route map identifies crossings with existing lines, roads, or railways. The PV layout, string configuration, equipment schedules, and calculations must match across every sheet.

Show earthing, inverter duty transformer ratings and protection settings

We draw the earthing and bonding network. The drawings show the transformer voltage ratio, vector group, impedance, cooling method, neutral arrangement, and protective accessories. We attach datasheets, general arrangement drawings, GTP, and routine test report formats. Protection details state relay settings, breaker ratings, and the zero-export trip interface. This maintains the RPR arrangement requested during feasibility without repeating the application.

Attach feasibility approval, contractor licenses and required clearances

We file the feasibility approval, the licensed electrical contractor's license, the competent person's certificate, equipment ratings, load statement, protection details, and applicable statutory clearances. We also include the prescribed application and inspection records if requested.

Check official fees and keep consultant charges separate

We confirm the official CEIG fee and payment method directly with the Telangana inspectorate before filing. We record this statutory payment separately from our engineer's or consultant's drawing fee, which keeps the cost record auditable.

Track drawing approval and close technical queries before installation

We monitor the acknowledgement and answer queries, then freeze the approved revision before installation.

Step 3: Complete Installation and Pass the Site Inspection

Submit contractor completion reports and equipment test certificates.

We upload the Work Commencement Report and the licensed contractor’s Work Completion Cum Test Report through the Telangana Electrical Inspectorate portal once the installation matches the CEIG-approved drawings. We also attach manufacturer test certificates for each HV/EHV item and keep the approved drawings, equipment nameplates, and test records at the site.

Our completion report identifies the installed inverter duty transformers, switchgear, cables, protection panels, and solar inverters. We verify that serial numbers, ratings, and locations match the documents submitted for CEIG approval of the Telangana solar plant. The concerned officer conducts the inspection within three working days once pre-scrutiny closes.

Prepare earthing, bonding and inverter duty transformers for inspection.

We keep each earthing pit available and identify its connection to equipment frames, panel bodies, cable armour, transformer bodies, and other bonded metalwork. The contractor’s authorised representative keeps test records available.

We keep the inverter duty transformer rating plate visible and ensure the physical installation matches the approved layout. We also present the installed protection equipment, cable terminations, isolation arrangement, and safety signage. This site readiness confirms that the behind-the-meter captive solar plant approval process in Telangana has progressed from a paper design to a verifiable electrical installation.

Demonstrate protection trips and zero-export operation, then close inspection defects.

We demonstrate the reverse power relay trip and the behind-the-meter solar zero export Telangana controller response during inspection. We reduce the site load or adjust inverter output as needed to show that the controller limits generation before reverse flow reaches the grid incomer. We also demonstrate the required protective trip sequence.

The officer uploads the Form of Order to our application within one working day after inspection. If defects appear, we rectify each item, upload a compliance report with supporting records, and get clearance after a satisfactory review. The Electrical Installation Certificate becomes available within one working day once we submit a satisfactory compliance report.

Step 4: Complete DISCOM Metering and Grid Synchronisation

Get CEIG safety clearance before seeking permission to energise.

We submit the CEIG safety certificate to TGSPDCL after site clearance and request permission to energise. The published Telangana process requires CEIG certification for solar systems above 75 kW, and our HT captive plant remains isolated until TGSPDCL accepts the handoff.

Confirm TGSPDCL requirements to use TOD ABT bidirectional metering.

We confirm TGSPDCL’s prescribed TOD ABT bidirectional meter arrangement for behind-the-meter solar zero export in Telangana. Published HT net-metering specifications require 0.2-class meter accuracy. The meter records import and export separately and captures TOD consumption and generation where the tariff applies.

Arrange meter testing, CT/PT checks and sealing as prescribed

We arrange meter testing, CT/PT checks, and sealing with the Meters and Protection team as prescribed. CT functionality applies above 56 kW, and DISCOM staff must have access to the meter.

Complete HT consumer solar grid synchronisation in Hyderabad and Telangana.

We conduct a joint test with DE Operations and DE Meters and Protection for HT consumer solar grid synchronisation in Hyderabad and Telangana. We demonstrate that no return voltage is present while the incoming supply is off, then get signatures on the synchronisation report.

Keep approval records and plan periodic tests and change approvals

We retain the CEIG certificate and meter records, along with the test report and sealed configuration. We get written DISCOM permission before adding panels or equipment and schedule periodic tests against approved settings. These records support future inspections and confirm that the approved configuration remains traceable at the service connection.

Summary: Regulatory Stage & Document Checklist

Conclusion

A BTM captive solar project for Telangana HT commercial and industrial consumers moves smoothly when we handle approvals as one connected process. We secure TGSPDCL feasibility, zero-export controls and RPR settings, get CEIG drawing approval under CEA Regulations 30 and 43, verify earthing and inverter-duty transformers during inspection, and complete TOD ABT metering and DISCOM synchronization. Accurate documents and tested protections are essential to energize the project safely without avoidable delays.