The energy ministry has introduced a series of net metering revisions but it remains to be seen of these can improve the poor net metering statistics registered to date.

The revisions, effective as of March 5, include a net metering capacity increase from 500 kW to 1,000 kW as well as higher net metering capacities for some of the bigger islands, namely Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Lesvos, Chios and Samos.

In addition, net metering eligibility has been broadened to cover all RES technologies, including solar, small-scale wind turbines and hydropower stations, biomass, biogas and geothermal.

Also, net metering associating low and mid-voltage production and consumption, as well as combined RES technologies, has been permitted.

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.

Strong incentives are needed if the disappointing net metering data, especially for domestic systems, is to improve, Stelios Psomas, Policy Advisor at SEF/HELAPCO (Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies), has stressed.

SEF has proposed eliminating public service compensation (YKO) surcharges from  energy consumed and offset by self production.

Meanwhile, authorities are preparing to conduct a study in June on a remuneration mechanism for energy storage systems and other services offering grid stability, sources noted.