PV net metering cap increase to 20 KW appears likely

The prospect of an increase to a net metering cap imposed on self-produced photovoltaic electricity, from 10 KW to 20 KW, as proposed by a committee formed by the Environment, Energy & Climate Change Ministry to examine various PV matters, seems highly likely.

Deputy Environment, Energy & Climate Change Minister Makis Papageorgiou appears to be leaning towards the net metering cap increase.

RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, which had launched public consultation procedures for the results of a study conducted by the committee, will now forward its opinion on the matter to the deputy minister, who will then proceed with a ministerial decision.

According to energy press sources, sector authorities, including officials at the ministry, have established positive opinions on many of the proposals forwarded during the public consultation process. It appears likely that, besides households, business-related buildings will also be able to utilize roof-mounted photovoltaic electricity production, with the net metering upper limit for this category to also be lifted to 20 KW from 10 KW. It is believed that an even higher net metering upper limit could be set for public buildings.

Net metering enables electricity consumers who generate their own power from an eligible on-site facility and deliver it to local distribution facilities to offset the electric energy provided by the utility during an applicable billing period.

However, no changes appear likely to Emission Reduction Tariff (ETMEAR) and Public Service Compensation (YKO) surcharges imposed on photovoltaic self-producers, a key issue for groups representing photovoltaic equipment manufacturers and suppliers. They have requested that photovoltaic self-producers be spared of these surcharges, believing that they stand as a disincentive for the domain’s further development. The representative groups have also campaigned for no net metering upper limit on photovoltaic self-production, arguing that caps will deter thousands of businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises and small-scale industry, from capitalizing on the energy benefits offered by photovoltaic production.

If adopted, the net metering upper limit increase may receive official Energy Ministry approval within the next few weeks.