Net metering vs net billing
The same solar panel can create very different credits. Understand the unit before comparing savings.
Think in kWh
Net metering matches energy units. Illustration: 800 kWh imported, 1,000 exported and 100 opening credit gives 1,100 available, 800 used and 300 carried forward before any contract-specific expiry. Net energy is zero, but remaining charges are not.
Explore kWh creditsThink in euros
Net billing keeps import costs and export value separate. Illustration only: 1,500 kWh exported at an assumed €0.10/kWh creates €150; €20 opening credit brings the available amount to €170. Separate fixed arithmetic lesson, unrelated to your entries: if a hypothetical €200 eligible amount could be offset by €170, the difference would be €30. This does not establish eligible charges, VAT order, closing credit or forfeiture. No personalized settlement is calculated. The €0.10 is an invented teaching assumption, not an official export rate.
Explore euro credits| Practical difference | Net metering | Net billing |
|---|---|---|
| Credit unit | kWh, not cash | Euro bill credit, not an automatic cash payment |
| Imported energy | This model bills energy after export and opening kWh credits | All imports are billed before the monetary offset |
| Exports | Added to available kWh credit in this model | Exported kWh × applicable export price; no default price |
| Unused credit | kWh carry forward; expiry depends on your contract | Euro surplus carries within the settlement year; the EAC procedure clears it unpaid at final settlement |
| What remains payable | Charge bases depend on verified contract terms; no euro payable is shown | Eligible charges and VAT order need confirmation; personalized payable, closing credit and forfeiture are never calculated |
Practical difference
Credit unit
Net meteringkWh, not cash
Net billingEuro bill credit, not an automatic cash payment
Imported energy
Net meteringThis model bills energy after export and opening kWh credits
Net billingAll imports are billed before the monetary offset
Exports
Net meteringAdded to available kWh credit in this model
Net billingExported kWh × applicable export price; no default price
Unused credit
Net meteringkWh carry forward; expiry depends on your contract
Net billingEuro surplus carries within the settlement year; the EAC procedure clears it unpaid at final settlement
What remains payable
Net meteringCharge bases depend on verified contract terms; no euro payable is shown
Net billingEligible charges and VAT order need confirmation; personalized payable, closing credit and forfeiture are never calculated
What changes the savings?
- Generation, shading and when your household uses electricity.
- Direct self-consumption avoids imports under either scheme.
- Import price, verified fuel applicability, export price and unused credit expiry.
- Installation, financing, maintenance and any separately verified grant.
Evidence & limits
EAC section 7 documents the monetary offset, carry-forward and October/November bimonthly settlement, subject to later CERA arrangements. The hosted document is dated 11 May 2022, not a new 2026 rule. Detailed tax treatment and net-metering charge bases remain model assumptions pending confirmation. This comparison does not determine eligibility, current scheme availability or connection approval; check with EAC and your supplier.
Read EAC procedure · pages 6–7Tariff evidence and pending verification