Virtual Net-Billing
Virtual Net-Billing is defined as the method where the difference is calculated between the cost of purchase electrical energy (according to the tariff applicable to the consumer) imported from the grid and the credit from the selling price of the electrical energy from the PV system fed into the grid (according to the purchase price of electrical energy from RES as determined by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority – CERA for consumers contracted with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus Supply) for each billing period. The electrical energy produced by the PV system comes from a system installed in a different location than the premises being served.
Who are the eligible beneficiaries for the Virtual Net-Billing category?
This category concerns the installation of PV systems connected to the distribution network, for meeting the own needs of natural or legal persons and public/local authorities.
Where can Virtual Net-Billing PV systems be installed?
PV systems in this category are installed at a different location from the premises being served.
The installation of PV systems can be done:
What is the maximum power that can be installed?
The maximum power of each PV system that can be installed PV system that can be installed under this category is 150kW per electricity consumption bill and per beneficiary/business. In case an energy storage system is installed, the maximum capacity of each PV system can increase up to 500kW.
What is the method of offsetting electricity bills?
The offsetting of bills will be carried out by the respective supplier with whom the consumer is contracted, either every two months or monthly (depending on the consumer’s category) for a period of 12 months, as in the Net-Billing category.
In this category, two meters must be installed: one to record the production from the PV system, and the other meter will be bidirectional, recording both the energy imported from the grid and the energy exported from the PV system. The offsetting of electricity bills will be done exactly as described in the Net-Billing category.
What will be the duration of the contract with the supplier?
The beneficiary will sign a Virtual Net-Billing Electricity Account Offset Contract with their respective supplier for a duration of 10 years. The contract may be renewed upon its expiration, in accordance with the applicable legal framework at the time.
What is the licensing/approval and operation process for the PV system?
We undertake the entire licensing/approval process for PV systems installed on the roofs of legally constructed buildings and on the ground up to 20 m² where a legally existing structure is present. An application is first submitted to the respective District Administration or Municipality to secure exemption from a building permit. Once this document is obtained, we proceed with the application to the EAC as the Distribution System Operator (DSO). It is noted that, in order to submit an application to the EAC for PV systems above 50kWp, a General License from CERA must first be obtained. Upon receiving approval from the DSO, the connection conditions are issued, and once paid by the customer, the net-metering agreement form is signed, and the project can proceed to implementation.
Once the installation is completed, the final stage is arranging the inspection of the PV system with the EAC. Upon successful inspection and issuance of the Certificate of Conformity by the EAC, we submit an application to the EAC for the issuance of the contract. With the signing of the contract with EAC, the PV system is put into operation.