Greek Government Introduces Net Metering For Solar PV Systems

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The economically troubled Southern European country of Greece now has a “generous” net metering scheme for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 500 kW in size, thanks to recently introduced legislation intended to spur development there.

The new legislation — signed by the country’s deputy minister of environment, energy, and climate change, Asimakis Papageorgiou, on December 30 — follows on the heels of rumors about just such a piece of legislation that go back as far as July 2013.

The new net metering scheme pertains only to solar PV systems (as previously stated), and, more specifically, to those that were created with self-consumption in mind. This includes both rooftop and ground-mounted varieties of such systems.

As far as which systems qualify (as far as capacity goes), for the Greek mainland, the limit is set at 20 kW, with exceptions allowed for consumers with greater personal energy demands. In such a case, when required loads go over 20 kW, installations that surpass the limit qualify for net metering that covers half of the consumer’s energy use. This only applies up to an absolute system size of 500 kW.

With regard to nonprofit organizations — such as hospitals, schools, etc — said systems can fully cover the consumer’s electricity needs, not just 50% of them. But, it needs be said, the 500 kW limit stands for nonprofits as well.

Off of the mainland, the rules change somewhat. For islands that aren’t connected to the mainland grid, the upper limit of system size is 20 kW — except for the island of Crete, where that number is 50 kW.

Reportedly, compensation will be doled out on an annual schedule.

Those wondering about the timing of the new net metering legislation wouldn’t be wrong to make the connection to the upcoming snap elections on the 25th — that appears to have played a large part in the approval. Only time will tell whether the move is effective in that regard.

These snap elections are set to be very interesting, with the stage possibly being set for Greece’s exit from the Eurozone.

Image Credit: Public Domain