Why Virtual Net Metering is Better for Apartment Societies than Green Open Access
Many apartment societies and group housing communities are exploring renewable energy. However, there is a common misconception that Green Open Access (GOA)can be a suitable solution. In reality, GOA is not designed for residential apartments, and Virtual Net Metering (VNM) provides a simpler and practical alternative.
Why Green Open Access Isn’t Suitable for Apartments
GOA functions more like a real-time energy trading system rather than a “store and use later” system. The electricity generated must match consumption exactly in each 15-minute block. Apartment residents, however, consume electricity at varying times, which makes GOA impractical.
- Real-time matching required: Energy generated and consumed must be simultaneous.
- Complex setup: GOA requires special meters, scheduling, and approvals from SLDC/RLDC.
- Not practical for apartments: Residents’ electricity usage varies throughout the day.
- High administrative overhead: Contract management, billing, and approvals are complex compared to local net metering.
Why Virtual Net Metering Works for Apartments
Virtual Net Metering (VNM) allows multiple connections within an apartment society to benefit from a single solar installation. The generated solar power is converted into credits and applied to each resident’s electricity bill, making the process simple, transparent, and practical for residential communities.
- No strict real-time consumption matching — energy credits are applied monthly.
- Works with varying apartment load patterns, ideal for housing societies.
- Simple setup and compliance — handled by the local DISCOM.
- Encourages community adoption of solar energy with minimal hassle.
- Reduces carbon footprint while saving on electricity bills for all residents.
Bottom Line
For apartment societies, Virtual Net Metering is the practical way to access green energy. Green Open Access may sound attractive, but its complexity and real-time energy constraints make it unsuitable for residential communities. VNM allows apartments to harness solar power efficiently, save on bills, and contribute to sustainable energy goals without the administrative and technical headaches of GOA.