Net metering
KIEFER TEK Ltd undertakes the installation of photovoltaic systems, as well as all necessary procedures for the connection of a PV system for net metering.
Few words
for Net metering
Net metering is a method of offsetting produced-consumed energy using photovoltaics or other RES (Renewable Energy Sources). It is one of the tools for promoting self-generation and self-consumption with RES and is already used in many countries around the world. It has been implemented in Greece since January 2015, and the process began at the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) since May 8th, 2015.
Net metering is essentially an agreement with the electricity company, allowing consumers to install a photovoltaic system aimed at covering their electricity consumption. This agreement enables consumers to independently produce the energy they need, storing any surplus in the electrical grid for a specific period at no cost. Within this timeframe, they can retrieve this surplus at no charge; otherwise, it is forfeited to the benefit of the grid. This capability makes the use of photovoltaics extremely cost-effective since there's no need to spend extra money on purchasing batteries.
The energy offset occurs on a three-year basis, and the generated energy doesn't need to match the consumed energy simultaneously. During morning hours, a photovoltaic system can cover our consumption and additionally produce surplus energy stored in the electrical grid. With this surplus, we can meet our energy needs during the evening hours. Similarly, during the summer months, we produce much more electricity than we need, which we can use to cover our needs during the winter months when photovoltaic systems have lower output.
In contrast to photovoltaic systems with feed-in tariffs, net metering systems involve the offsetting of produced and consumed electricity in terms of energy (in kWh) rather than in monetary terms (in €). Both feed-in tariff systems and net metering systems fall under the broad category of grid-connected photovoltaic systems internationally (in contrast to standalone off-grid photovoltaic systems) where there is a connection to the public electricity grid.
Advantages of Net metering
The main advantages of net metering are the following:
- The consumption occurs close to the production, reducing losses in the cables.
- Individuals or professionals do not depend on the government to be subsidized or ultimately paid for their investment
- Greek households can forget about electricity costs once and for all.
- Regardless of any increases made by the Public Power Corporation DEH, there is no extra charge.
- Our country is freed from energy dependencies and costs.
- CO emissions decrease2.
- Minimizing the environmental impact near lignite-powered electricity production plants
Virtual net metering
Since July 2017, Farmers, Municipalities, and Public Benefit Institutions have had the ability to install a photovoltaic system with virtual net metering.
With virtual net metering, it is allowed to offset the energy produced (from a PV station) with the consumed energy from one or more consumer installations of the self-generator, without the need for the production installation to be in the same (or adjacent) location as the consumption installation and to be electrically connected to it (grid connection through the same supply), as is the case with simple net metering.
By using net metering, charges are reduced.
A net metering system significantly reduces the value of electricity. Depending on the size of the system and the total annual consumption, it may fully offset competitive charges and dramatically reduce regulated charges except the fixed charge. The more energy we consume during the hours when solar panels produce electricity, the greater the reduction in regulated charges except the fixed charge. The total annual electricity value can be reduced by 65 to 80%.
Process - Documents for net metering.
The procedure for connecting a PV net metering system is simple and is entirely handled by our company. It includes the following steps:
- Submission of the connection request to the competent area of the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator. The area examines the request and sends a connection offer within a month, which is valid for three months.
- Submission of the application for drafting the connection contract to the Area and acceptance of the connection offer, providing the necessary documentation and payment of the connection costs.
- Signing of the connection contract with simultaneous payment of the contractual fee. The construction of the connection works must be completed within a month from the signing of the connection contract, provided that no new Network works are required.
- Submission of an application for drafting the net metering contract to the DEDDIE.
- Signing the net metering contract, which is prepared by DEDDIE within 15 days of receiving the request. This contract is valid for 25 years from the date of activation of the PV system connection.
- Construction of the PV system.
- Submitting an activation request for the connection to the Area.
- Activation of the connection after a check of the installation by the DEDDIE.
For the submission of the application for net metering to DEDDIE, abbreviated property titles (or lease) and written certification from the other co-owners allowing the installation of photovoltaics by the interested party are required (in the case of, for example, an apartment building).
Other documents include technical reports, designs, leaflets, or engineer's declarations concerning the installer of the system.
Legislation on net metering - Summary
According to Greek legislation (Law on Self-Consumption – Ministerial Decision on Net Metering – Circulars and information material from the DEH), for net metering:
- The maximum limit is 20 kWp or half of the agreed power for the interconnected system, with an upper limit of 500 kW.
- The maximum limit is 5 kWp for a single-phase meter (otherwise, an upgrade is required).
- For the non-interconnected system (islands), the maximum limit is 10 kWp or half of the agreed power, with an upper limit of 20 kW, except for Crete, where the maximum limit is 20 kWp or half of the agreed power, with an upper limit of 50 kW.
- In Peloponnese and Southern Euboea, the upper limit is 20 kWp.
- The installation can also be done by the tenant of a property (or after a free concession).
- Metering and offsetting are carried out with each settlement bill, and the energy difference is credited to the next offset for one year.
- In a multi-apartment building, more than one system can be installed.
- Each net metering photovoltaic system must correspond to one and only one meter.
- It can be installed on a roof, in a garden, or even on adjacent farmland.
- Currently, only photovoltaic systems can be installed.
- All DEI (Public Power Corporation) bills must be settled.
- The cost with DEI is below €400 for systems up to 55 kWp.
- An upgrade can be made to the operating system after a new application and connection offer.
- A photovoltaic system with a tariff can be converted into a net metering photovoltaic system with a new connection
- It is NOT allowed to have more than one photovoltaic system (e.g., one with a tariff and one for net metering) associated with the same meter.
- There is no individual limit on the number of net metering photovoltaic systems a person can have.
- Net metering cannot be applied to construction site facilities since they are not considered permanent.
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