It has been hanging over the heads of solar panel owners for some time now: the abolition of the net metering scheme. This is set to take effect on 1 January 2023, but will be phased out gradually, a process that will last until 2031.
Net metering scheme
The net metering scheme is applied within the framework of energy tax. You pay this tax, amongst other things, on electricity supplied to you by an electricity supplier.
No energy tax is payable on the electricity you generate using your own solar panels and which you use straight away (or store behind the meter). As the electricity you do not use immediately is offset against the electricity supplied to you by the electricity company, you do not pay energy tax on this electricity.
Finishing touches
The net metering scheme will be phased out gradually with effect from 1 January 2023. This is according to a recent Chamber letter. The exact details of how the phase-out will take place are not yet known. However, it is clear that net metering will no longer be permitted from 2031. The previously announced feed-in subsidy will not be introduced.
The phase-out will not begin until 1 January 2023, as the net metering scheme cannot be abolished until everyone has a meter with a dual-rate meter.
Advantage
Following the abolition of the net metering scheme, the benefit derived from energy generated by solar panels is limited to the payment made by the electricity supplier for the electricity fed into the grid.