Local market authorities have proposed a revision to the country’s existing net metering regulations that would also permit virtual net metering (VNM), a tariff arrangement that enables multi-meter property owners to allocate a solar system’s energy credits to other tenants. Under current local regulations, virtual net metering is not allowed in Greece.

VNF tariffs were introduced in other markets as a means of providing equal and direct benefits offered by solar systems to low-income tenants in affordable housing complexes.

Standard 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.

A revision to the related ministerial decision, allowing virtual net metering here, would prove useful, or even crucial, in many cases, such as the hotel industry, especially enterprises on the islands, as well as public-sector companies, including the water utility.

HELAPCO, the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (SEF), noted that a revision would boost the overall net metering effort.

Meanwhile, just days ago, it was reported that an accumulated backlog of older applications for photovoltaic systems, concerning projects no longer likely to developed, is delaying processing procedures for current PV interest spurred by the recently introduced net metering plan.