Gunda Power has welcomed Sri Lanka’s proposed night-time feed-in tariff, describing the initiative as a potential development point for the country’s solar energy industry.
The company said the proposed policy could enable rooftop solar systems to move beyond daytime electricity generation by allowing stored solar energy to be supplied during periods of peak demand after sunset.
Rooftop solar has enabled households and businesses to reduce electricity costs while supplying renewable energy to the national grid. However, electricity demand typically increases during evening hours, when conventional solar panels are no longer generating power. Meeting this demand can increase reliance on imported fossil fuels, placing additional pressure on energy costs and foreign exchange reserves.
Under a night-time feed-in tariff mechanism, electricity generated from solar during the day could be stored in batteries and released to the grid during evening peak periods. Gunda Power said this approach could broaden the role of rooftop solar from electricity generation to more active energy management.
Hybrid energy systems that combine solar panels, battery storage and intelligent energy management technologies are expected to play an important role in this transition. Excess electricity generated during daylight hours can be stored for later consumption or, subject to the applicable regulatory framework, supplied to the grid when demand is higher.
The potential of such systems was highlighted at a recent Solis Storage seminar, where the Solis team presented EverCore ESS, an integrated inverter and battery storage solution. Solar installers and customers attending the event had the opportunity to examine the system’s safety features, reliability and backup capabilities.
Gunda Power Managing Director Nirash Goonewardena said the development could change how consumers view the value of solar installations.
“The question could shift from asking how much a solar system can save, to how much it can generate, store and deliver,” he said.
“That is a fundamental change in how we think about renewable energy.”
Goonewardena also stressed that the success of a night-time feed-in tariff would depend on establishing a regulatory framework that is practical, transparent and commercially sustainable. He highlighted the importance of clear standards covering metering, grid connectivity, safety requirements and payments.
He said the growing number of connected solar and storage systems could eventually become a significant distributed energy resource for the country.
“Thousands of connected systems could eventually form a significant distributed energy resource,” he said.
“The technology is becoming available. The industry is preparing. What’s needed now is the vision to connect policy, technology and private investment around a shared national purpose.”
Gunda Power is a Sri Lankan wholesale solar equipment provider that imports and supplies solar energy equipment to professional installers across the country. Through its installer network, the company supports the expansion of renewable energy solutions in Sri Lanka.
Gunda Power Managing Director Nirash Gunawardana
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