Recently, the 30MWp distributed photovoltaic power plant project of the Linjiang Water Treatment Plant of Xiaoshan Huantou Group in China was successfully connected to the grid to generate electricity. The picture shows the project site. Photo by Long Wei (People's Vision)

The National Energy Administration recently revised and issued the "Regulations on the Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations on Management"), which put forward clear requirements for the management of all stages of the entire life cycle of distributed photovoltaic power generation.

Distributed photovoltaic power generation refers to photovoltaic power generation facilities developed on the user side, accessed on the distribution network, and in principle, balancing the nearest balance in the distribution network system. At present, China's distributed photovoltaic power generation is developing rapidly. As of the end of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of distributed photovoltaic power generation reached 370 million kilowatts, 121 times that of the end of 2013, accounting for 42% of all photovoltaic power generation installed capacity and 11% of the total installed capacity of national power generation. In terms of power generation, distributed photovoltaic power generation in 2024 was 346.2 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 41% of photovoltaic power generation. "Whether the cumulative installed capacity, new installed capacity or power generation, the trend of distributed and centralized simultaneous and equal amounts is obvious. Distributed photovoltaic power generation has become an important force in energy transformation." said the head of relevant departments and bureaus of the National Energy Administration.

In 2013, the National Energy Administration issued the "Interim Measures for the Management of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects" (hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Measures"). However, the old methods are already difficult to adapt to the current development of distributed photovoltaics. From the perspective of development environment, the price of photovoltaic modules has dropped from around 5 yuan/watt in 2013 to around 0.7 yuan/watt at present. New energy sources, including distributed photovoltaic power generation, have fully entered the stage of market-based marketization. A series of regulations on scale management established in the Interim Measures, such as the scale management established by fiscal subsidies, are no longer applicable. The national level has gradually established development guidance mechanisms such as the weight of renewable energy power consumption and the assessment of the carrying capacity of distributed photovoltaic power generation access distribution networks. It is necessary to institutionalize some good mechanisms and practices in the country and various regions, and improve management in line with the times.

Distributed photovoltaic power generation points, wide range, involve many subjects, and complex interest relationships. The head of relevant departments and bureaus of the National Energy Administration said that the essential difference between distributed photovoltaic power generation and centralized power stations is that they are developed on the user side and consumed nearby and utilized nearby. The "Management Measures" adhere to the essential characteristics and requirements of distributed photovoltaic power generation from various aspects such as definition, classification, and networking model, emphasizing the self-information ratio of the project, and returning to the origin of distributed photovoltaic power generation.

At the same time, distributed photovoltaic power generation is the most closely connected power source form with users. Distributed photovoltaic power generation must achieve sustainable development on the premise of fully respecting the user's wishes and forming good interactions with users. The "Management Measures" refine requirements from various aspects such as leasing user roofs, filing, development, construction and operation, and effectively protect the interests of users, especially farmers, so that the development of distributed photovoltaics can benefit rural farmers more and empower rural revitalization.

In terms of filing management, in response to the fact that distributed photovoltaic projects that "farmers come out of roofs and developers invest" in recent years are still registered in the name of farmers, resulting in obvious unequal rights and responsibilities between enterprises and individuals, and there are certain financial risks and safety hazards, the "Management Measures" emphasize that "distributed photovoltaic power generation projects invested, developed and constructed by non-natural persons shall not be registered in the name of natural persons" to effectively protect the interests of farmers from infringement.

The "Management Measures" also clearly state that the development of distributed photovoltaic power generation should respect the wishes of the building owners. Localities shall not control distributed photovoltaic power generation development resources such as roofs through concession management methods, and shall not restrict all types of qualified investment entities to participate equally in the development and construction of distributed photovoltaic power generation, and shall not use compulsory supporting industries or investments or illegal collection of project deposits as the threshold for project development and construction.