ZESA: Solar Net Metering – How does it work?

Net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to sell the electricity they aren’t using back into the grid.

What is Net Metering in Zimbabwe?

The Net Metering programme is a scheme where customers generating solar energy on their premises can feed excess power back into the ZETDC Network through a grid-tied inverter

Any existing customer with a grid-tied solar system up to their rated power from ZETDC qualifies for Net Metering and can apply to connect to the grid upon completion of the relevant application forms that are obtained from their nearest ZETDC depot.

So how does Net Metering work?

When you have a rooftop solar system, it can often generate more electricity than you consume during daylight hours.

With net metering, the homeowner is only billed for the “net” energy used each month, that is, the difference between the energy produced by the solar power system and the energy consumed by the house over the monthly billing period. 

When your house or business is net-metered, you’ll see the meter run backwards, and that means, depending upon local policies, you may get a credit to hedge against the electricity you use from the grid when it’s not sunny or at nighttime. You are then billed only for your “net” energy use. The excess energy generated gets put back to the grid for your neighbors to use

Benefits of Net Metering in Zimbabwe?

Registering for net Metering has its benefits:

1. The excess generation shall be measured and credit units allocated to the generating customer rather than being fortified.
2. The credited units will assist in keeping the customer in the lower tariff band thus reducing the total bill at the end of the month.
3. Net Metering is beneficial to the power utility and the nation at large. ZESA will be less dependent on importing energy thus spending less foreign currency.