Only 41% of consumers with RE availed of net-metering scheme

CEBU, Philippines - Although there are already few power consumers that have installed renewable or alternative energy devices in their respective companies or homes, only a few have actually entered the net-metering scheme.

Visayas Electric Company senior vice president and chief operating officer Anton Mari Perdices said that of the 17 total customers with renewable facility, with total capacity of 145,620 watts, only seven or 41 percent have entered into net-metering scheme.

The net-metering scheme is the first non-fiscal incentive mechanism under the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008. It is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

The scheme allows house owners and commercial establishments to install solar photovoltaic panels and partly satisfy their electricity demand. The excess power that they generate is delivered to the utility and used to offset the customer’s electricity consumption.

In a recent energy forum, Perdices urged customers to take advantage of this scheme, although VECO, as a business, will not get anything from it in terms of profit.

Perdices said that while VECO supports the installation of renewable energy devices, like solar panels that could be enrolled in the net-metering scheme, users should only use those of reputable brands.

According to Percides, VECO has a list of reputable suppliers of quality solar panel brands. Proper installation of solar panels is crucial to serve the purpose of conserving energy.

The basic concept of the net-metering is that if the consumption exceeds generation, customers pay for net per kilowatt-hour consumed.

However, if the generation exceeds consumption, customers receive credit in their bill for net excess generation. (FREEMAN)