SERVICES

Net metering

kIEFER TEK LTD undertakes the installation and all the necessary procedures for the connection of a net metering P/V system.

 

Net metering is a method of offsetting between the generated and the consumed energy using photovoltaics or other renewable sources. It is one of the promotional tools for the auto-production and self-consumption of energy by the use of renewable sourcesand it is already used in many countries. Since January 2015 it can be implemented in Greece and on 8.5.2015 the process of applications to HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A.) has started.

Net metering is actually an agreement with the power company, which enables the consumer to install a PV system in order to cover his electricity consumption. This agreement enables the consumer to generate by himself the energy that he needs by storing for free the surplus on the electricity grid for a certain time. Within this  period of time, he can get it back for free, otherwise it is lost to the benefit of the grid. This feature makes the use of PV extremely economical, because there is no need to spend extra money for the batteries purchase.

 

The energy offsetting happens on a three-year basis and the time of generation has not necessarily to coincide with the time of consumption. During the morning hours a PV system can cover our whole consumption and additionally produce an excess which is stored on the grid. With this excess we can cover our energy needs during the night. Similarly during the summer months we produce far more electricity than we need, which we can use in order to satisfy our needs during the winter months, when the PV system has a lower production.

 

Unlike the feed-in tariff PV systems, in net metering systems there is not a cost (in €), but an energy offsetting (in kWh). They both belong to the large category of interconnected PV on-grid or grid-connected systems internationally (in contrast with the autonomous photovoltaic- off grid) which are connected to the electric utility grid.

 

Advantages of net metering

The main advantagesof net metering are the following:

  • The consumption and the production take place close to each other, reducing the losses in cables.
  • Individuals and companies do not depend on the subsidy of the State in order to be paid for their investment.
  • The greek households can forget the cost of power once and for all.
  • No matter how many increases PPC does there is no extra charge.
  • The country stops to depend on the energy costs.
  • CO2 emissions are reduced.
  • The environmental impact in areas near lignite power plants is minimized.

 

Virtual net metering

Since July 2017 farmers, Municipalities and Charitable Institutions are able to install a photovoltaic system with virtual net metering.

By virtual net metering it is possible to offset the energy produced (from a PV station) to the energy consumed by one or more auto-producer's consumption facilities and the production facility does not have to be in the same (or adjacent) space with the electrical installation and connected to it (network connection through the same supply), as is it had to with the simple net metering.

 

How much does net metering reduce the charges

A net metering system reduces significantly the bill of PPC. Depending on the size of the system and the total annual consumption, it can eliminate completely the competitive tariff charges and reduce dramatically the regulated charges except SGI (Services of General Interest). The more energy we consume at the hours that the PV generates electricity, the greater reduction on the regulated charges except SGI we have. The total annual electricity tariff can be reduced from 65 to 80%.

 

The Process -Required documents for Net Metering

The interconnection of a net metering system is a simple process and it is entirely undertaken by our company. Ιt includes the following steps:

  • Submission of an interconnection application to the appropriate Area of HEDNO. The Area shall examine the request within a month and send a connection offer, which is valid for three months.
  • Submission of the application drawing up the Convention, to the Area and acceptance of the interconnection offer by submitting the required documents and paying the connection works.
  • Signing of the connection contract with the simultaneous payment of the contractual price. The construction of the connection works must be completed withina month after the signing of the connection agreement, in case that new network works are required.
  • Submission of the application drawing up the netting agreement to HEDNO.
  • Signing of the netting agreement, which is drawn up by HEDNO within the period of 15 days after the receipt of the request. This is valid for 25 years from the date of the connection activation of the PV system.
  • Construction of the PV system.
  • Submission of the connection activation application, to the Area.
  • Activation of the connection, when the plant has been checked by HEDNO.

 

For the submission of applications for net metering to HEDNO, the documents required are briefly the title deeds of the property (or the lease contract ) and written confirmation by the other co-owners that they allow the PV installation by the person concerned (in case of a block of flats).

The rest of required documents are technical reports, drawings and brochures or statutory declarations of the engineer related to the system installer.

 

Legislation about net metering –Summary

According to the Greek legislation (Law on self-production- Ministerial Decision about net metering - Circulars and information material from PPC) about net metering:

  • The maximum limit is 20kWpor half the agreed power for the grid with an upper limit of 500 kW.
  • For a single-phase meter, the maximum limit is 5kWp (otherwise there is a need for augmentation).
  • Inconnected systems (islands) the maximum limit is 10 kWp or half the agreed power with an upper limit of 20 kWp, except from Crete where the maximum limit is 20kWp or half the agreed power with an upper limit of 50 kWp.
  • In Peloponnese and southern Evia the upper limit is 20 kWp.
  • The tenant of a property (or after free provision) can also install it.
  • The counting and offsetting take place in each bill of discharge and the energy difference is credited to the next offset for one year.
  • In a block of flats more than one can be installed.
  • Each net metering PV system should be mapped to a single meter.
  • It can be mounted on a roof-terrace or a garden-ground even in a neighboring field.
  • Currently only photovoltaic systems  can be installed.
  • All the bills to PPC must have been paid.
  • The cost to PPC is below 400€ for systems up to 55 kWp.
  • An augmentation of the functioning system is possible after a new application and connection offer.
  • A PV feed in tariff can be turned into a net metering PV with a new connection.
  • The same meter can NOT be mapped to more than one photovoltaic system (eg. PV feed in tariff and net metering).
  • There is no limit per person for the number of net metering PV systems that he can have.
  • In work sites energy supply cannot be offset with net metering because they are not considered as permanent installations.