Europe Net Metering and Self-Consumption Support Schemes for Solar PV Projects in Europe
/18th September 2017, by Renewable Market Watch™/
Net Metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid. Many countries in Europe have passed net metering laws. In other countries, utilities may offer net metering programs voluntarily or as a result of regulatory decisions. Differences between countries’ legislations and implementation mean that the benefits of net metering can vary widely for solar customers in different parts of Europe.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential customer has a solar PV system on the home's rooftop, it may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours. If the home is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home's electricity use exceeds the system's output. Customers are only billed for their "net" energy use. On average, only 20-40% of a solar energy system’s output ever goes into the grid. Exported solar electricity serves nearby customers’ loads.
The self-consumption model is based on the fact that in a growing number of countries renewable electricity – chiefly solar PV – has achieved grid parity, that is the situation where an expected unit cost of self-generated renewable electricity matches or is lower the per-kWh costs for electricity obtained from the grid, i.e. the variable part of a consumers’ electricity bill. Under grid parity, consumers can save money by generating their electricity rather than buying it from the grid.
Whereas in the past compensation for feeding-in solar energy has been completely detached from the energy consumption, the coordination of consumption and generation is now becoming increasingly important in European countries. Self-consumption is consequently becoming a key issue when discussing the profitability of small scale solar PV systems. Consumers in Europe are looking for greater independence from electricity prices and energy providers. Since solar PV power has become cheaper than mains power, it pays off to maximize the self-consumption of the electricity generated by the own residential solar PV system. Main benefit from self-consumption solar PV are:
1) Lower electricity bill;
2) Independence from increases in the electricity costs;
3) Higher returns from the solar PV system;
4) Avoid utility peak usage or time of usage charges;
5) Security from grid outage with reliable back-up power (especially for homes located at remote locations).
The more information about Europe Net Metering and Self-Consumption Solar PV Market, including full contact details of solar PV project owners and developers you may read here: Europe Net Metering and Self-Consumption Solar PV Market Outlook 2017 ÷ 2026
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