New rules covering the operation of small-scale solar power generating systems by electricity consumers in Saudi Arabia will come into force from next July, a Reuters report said.

A regulatory framework for electricity consumers to operate their own, small-scale solar power generating systems and export unused power to the national grid has been issued, the report said.

The rules will cover small photovoltaic facilities with generating capacity of no more than 2 MW, the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority was quoted as saying in the report.

Consumers will have their excess electricity offset against their future consumption and after a year they will receive cash payments at a tariff approved by the authority, it said.