NEA Releases New Rules on the Distributed Solar Generation

The "Project Management Measures" served as an early guiding document for distributed photovoltaic power generation, providing a fundamental management framework for projects. It emphasized the definition of distributed photovoltaic power generation, principles encouraging investment, construction, and operation, as well as basic requirements for grid connection. We understand that the "Construction Management Measures" aim to offer more specific and detailed management measures. It not only inherits the core principles of the "Project Management Measures" but also adds new requirements and directions for industry development.

1.Definition and Classification of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation

The "Construction Management Measures" further refine the      classification based on the definition of distributed photovoltaic power generation      in the "Project Management Measures", clearly defining four      types: natural person household use, non-natural person household use,      general commercial and industrial, and large-scale commercial and      industrial, making management more precise.

2.Electricity Pricing
The "Project Management Measures" did not elaborate on specific electricity pricing policies but mentioned the operational model of distributed photovoltaic power generation implementing "self-generation for self-use, surplus electricity to the grid, local consumption, and grid regulation". The "Construction Management Measures" provide clearer guidance on policies affecting project revenues, emphasizing the importance of market-oriented transactions and making specific provisions for self-generated electricity for self-use, government funds and surcharges, green certificate trading, etc., including but not limited to:

3.Project Filing Management

The "Project Management Measures" had already stipulated project      filing work, but it was relatively brief. The "Construction      Management Measures" provide more detailed regulations on the filing      management process for distributed photovoltaic projects, including the      filing entity, filing information, consolidated filing, and changes to      filing, etc., enhancing the transparency and operability of filing      management.

4.Grid Connection Services
The "Project Management Measures" emphasized that power grid companies should provide system support to ensure the safe use of electricity for power users. The "Construction Management Measures" further require power grid companies to develop differentiated grid connection work systems and provide "one-stop" services to improve the level of connection services.

In addition, compared with the "Project Management Measures", the "Construction Management Measures" have added a chapter on operational management, including safety production, scheduling operation, special scenarios, operation and maintenance management, distributed photovoltaic participation in the electricity market, information management, consumption monitoring, and transformation and upgrading.

The release of the "Management Measures for the Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation" signifies a more standardized and systematic management of China's distributed photovoltaic power generation sector. The implementation of this policy will help promote the healthy development of the distributed photovoltaic power generation industry, optimize and upgrade the energy structure, and contribute to achieving the "dual carbon" goals. At the same time, industry participants should also closely monitor the implementation of the policy, actively adapt to policy changes, and make full use of policy dividends to facilitate the smooth progress of their projects.