How to Join the Net Metering System for Electricity in 2022: Deadline and New Payment Options Explained

In accordance with the amendments to the Law on the Electricity Market, households can join the electricity net accounting system until April 30 of this year. From May 1, when the new net settlement system comes into force, new members will no longer be admitted to the net accounting system.

To those interested who plan to apply for the net metering system, AS “Sadales tīkls” reminds them to prepare the necessary documentation and install the production equipment in time in order to receive the final permission to connect the microgenerator from the distribution system operator by the end of April. The next day after receiving the permission, the client will be registered for participation in the accounting system.

There are several steps to get the final permit. First, the “Distribution Network” must submit an application for the connection of the microgenerator and, after receiving the installation permit, install the equipment. Once this is done, the distribution operator must submit a certificate signed by a certified specialist (inverter settings protocol), photo-fixation and other necessary documentation, which will allow to receive the final permit and start production. All documents can be submitted digitally on the self-service portal e-st.lv.

“Sadales tīkls” usually examines the received documents and issues the final permit for connecting the microgenerator within a few working days, however, in case of a large number of applications, it may take longer. Therefore, customers are invited not to postpone the work to be done for the last week, taking into account that clarifications or additional information may also be necessary.

Participation in the net metering system provides an opportunity to virtually “transfer” electricity to the distribution network in the form of kilowatt-hours (kWh) in order to use it when necessary within the net year: for example, the electricity produced in summer but not consumed can be used in the dark months of autumn and winter. This system works on a kWh-for-kWh basis, allowing customers to use the grid as a virtual battery. The savings created in this system can be used by households only in the same property where the electricity is produced.

It should be noted that when the ownership of the electricity user changes (a contract for electricity supply with the trader is signed by another person), the previously accumulated kWh in the accounting system are deleted. It should also be taken into account: if the electricity user changes ownership on May 1 or later, the new user will no longer be able to join the accounting system (even if it was previously valid in the ownership). On the other hand, if the user only changes his electricity supplier, the participation in the net accounting system remains valid and the current kWh savings is also preserved.

Registered participants of the net metering system will be able to use this system until February 28, 2029, which is its expiration date according to amendments to the Electricity Market Law.

The payment system is effective from May 1; it will be administered by electricity traders

From May 1, both households and companies that produce electricity for self-consumption will be able to join the net payment system. In order to become its member, the customer will have to sign a contract with the chosen electricity trader, who will administer the system according to the terms of the signed contract. Within the framework of net settlements, merchants can create various services, while all merchants must provide universal net settlement system services, the conditions of which are regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 635 (Regulations of sale and use of electricity).

The net settlement system provides different options compared to the accounting system, for example:

• the value of the accumulated kWh is converted in euro terms and the system is managed by the electricity trader chosen by the customer;
• the threshold of the maximum power of the generating equipment has been increased to one megawatt (in the accounting system, the production capacity of the equipment cannot exceed 11.1 kW);
• the customer can use the savings of electricity produced but not immediately used in euro terms for payments for electricity supply in other objects (for example, the electricity produced in the summer house can be used for payments for electricity supply in an apartment in the city).

Households that will switch from net accounting to a net settlement system between May 1 of this year and February 28, 2025 will be able to receive the cost of the kWh saved in the accounting system in cash (in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers’ regulations No. 635 – no more than 600 euros before tax payments, so it is worth considering the most appropriate transition moment). It should be noted that you can switch from one system to another only once.

Users can find out more detailed information about the operating principles of the net settlement system from their electricity dealer. Information on the types of net payments is also available in the information resources of the Ministry of Climate and Energy. Basic information can also be found www.sadalestikls.lv.

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2024-04-11 13:57:40
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