Net Metering. An Explanation
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:26 am
I put this up on the Pahos Life Facebook page. A lot of people found it very helpful. However, I know some members do not do facebook, so I will put it on here. I feel very sorry for those people who are now being told they can only have a certain sized system. I have already written one email, to the Green Party and will write others in order to put pressure on to reverse that situation. I'll also do another post with a resume of our use during 2021-2022.
A lot of people have asked me to explain how our solar panel billing with EAC is worked out. I hope this explanation helps. When we get our March bill, I will put a detailed review of our bills on the Paphos Life forum.
Net metering is EACs system for photovoltaic systems. I look on it as a battery, for storing the excess electricity which we produce.
Our new electric meter has two readings. Reading 1, what we use through the meter and Reading 2, what we export to the grid.
By subtracting Reading 1 from Reading 2, you are able to ascertain how much electricity you have exported and are in credit. Your exported amount is shown on your bi monthly bill as Credit Units (kwh) carried over.
Your exported amount can be used when you are not producing enough electricity.
The net metering charge is worked out on what you use from your exported amount, through meter reading 1. Each kwh you use through your meter is charged at €0.028, plus Ancillary Services charged at €0.0066, with VAT added.
Last year, 2021, we started using our banked, surplus kwh on the 12th November. We had exported a surplus of 3317 kwh. This amount was enough to heat our house throughout the winter, which was particularly cold and long, and heat our pool to a swimmable temperature for the part of the winter when it was not bitterly cold.
At present, surplus kwh are taken off you at your February, March bill. When our meter was read, on March 14th, we had 120kwh taken off us, which will not be carried forward to our next bill. There is talk of letting you carry forward kwh from one year to the next.
At present, (March 30th) for the first time since installing our 5kwh system, we are in negative territory. We have produced less than we have used and are minus 200kwh. However, as the days get longer and the temperatures rise, we will soon get back to being in credit.
On our January/February bill, EAC charged us €0.0426 per kwh, including VAT.
A lot of people have asked me to explain how our solar panel billing with EAC is worked out. I hope this explanation helps. When we get our March bill, I will put a detailed review of our bills on the Paphos Life forum.
Net metering is EACs system for photovoltaic systems. I look on it as a battery, for storing the excess electricity which we produce.
Our new electric meter has two readings. Reading 1, what we use through the meter and Reading 2, what we export to the grid.
By subtracting Reading 1 from Reading 2, you are able to ascertain how much electricity you have exported and are in credit. Your exported amount is shown on your bi monthly bill as Credit Units (kwh) carried over.
Your exported amount can be used when you are not producing enough electricity.
The net metering charge is worked out on what you use from your exported amount, through meter reading 1. Each kwh you use through your meter is charged at €0.028, plus Ancillary Services charged at €0.0066, with VAT added.
Last year, 2021, we started using our banked, surplus kwh on the 12th November. We had exported a surplus of 3317 kwh. This amount was enough to heat our house throughout the winter, which was particularly cold and long, and heat our pool to a swimmable temperature for the part of the winter when it was not bitterly cold.
At present, surplus kwh are taken off you at your February, March bill. When our meter was read, on March 14th, we had 120kwh taken off us, which will not be carried forward to our next bill. There is talk of letting you carry forward kwh from one year to the next.
At present, (March 30th) for the first time since installing our 5kwh system, we are in negative territory. We have produced less than we have used and are minus 200kwh. However, as the days get longer and the temperatures rise, we will soon get back to being in credit.
On our January/February bill, EAC charged us €0.0426 per kwh, including VAT.