Increased RES self-production and net metering appears to be a leading priority for the energy ministry, committed to an increase of the country’s renewable energy capacity, which, besides the development of major facilities, also depends on the installation of RES systems at as many domestic and business units as possible.

As part of the overall effort, the energy ministry has decided to make drastic changes to the existing net metering support mechanism, the objective being to make it more appealing for consumers as potential RES producers, energypress sources have informed.

One of the ideas being considered by officials at this stage is to enable prosumers (producer-consumer) to sell excess electricity production to the grid at a price level equivalent to the System Marginal Price (SMP), the wholesale price.

Another thought is to replace the current net metering billing period, covering three years, with a system offering instantaneous calculations.

Such revisions, compatible with EU directives, are already being adopted by other EU member states. Their implementation in Greece is expected to offer household and business electricity consumers further incentive to install RES systems, primarily solar panels, on roofs and rooftops.

Irrespective of the prospective support mechanism changes, net metering has already become a more attractive prospect for consumers as a result of power utility PPC’s recent electricity tariff hikes, which have considerably shortened the recouping period for net metering installation costs.