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What is Net-Metering and How Does It Help Reduce Electricity Costs?

Today, solar energy has become a symbol not only of environmental responsibility but also of economic efficiency.
Photovoltaic systems installed on the rooftops of homes or business facilities allow users to generate their own electricity and significantly reduce monthly expenses.
However, a common question arises — what happens to the energy that isn’t used at the moment it’s produced?
The answer lies in the Net-Metering system, which enables users to feed their surplus energy into the grid and later use it again without any losses.

October 17, 2025

Net-Metering, also known as clean accounting, is a mechanism that allows a producer-consumer — whether a residential home, business, or public institution — to generate its own energy, feed surplus electricity into the grid, and receive credit for future consumption.
Through this process, users balance their production and consumption over the course of a year, paying only for the difference that their own system could not cover.
It is a fair and encouraging mechanism, widely adopted around the world as a key tool for achieving energy independence.
The system’s operation is simple: a bi-directional meter is installed that simultaneously records both the electricity drawn from and the electricity supplied to the grid.
For example, during the daytime, when the solar power plant produces more energy than consumed, the excess electricity is fed into the grid and recorded as credit energy.
At night or on cloudy days, when production decreases, the user draws electricity from the grid, using their accumulated credit.
If, at the end of the billing period, production exceeds consumption, the difference can be carried over to the next month or year, depending on existing regulations.
To implement a Net-Metering system, it is necessary to have a grid-tied inverter that synchronizes with the grid’s frequency and voltage, as well as an approved bi-directional meter provided by the electricity supplier.

It is also necessary to include safety components such as automatic circuit breakers, grounding protection, and anti-backflow mechanisms.
Before connecting the solar power plant to the grid, a technical inspection and contractual approval are carried out to ensure the safe and stable operation of the system.
In addition to its economic benefits, Net-Metering has an important environmental impact.
It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourages clean energy generation, and contributes to the stability of the power grid.
Small-scale producers become active participants in the network, thereby strengthening energy independence.
To optimize system performance, it is recommended to use electrical loads during daylight hours, when solar generation is at its peak — for example, washing machines, water heaters, or ventilation systems.
It is also important to ensure proper roof orientation, absence of shading, and regular system monitoring to control and maintain high productivity.

The capacity of the solar power system should be selected based on annual electricity consumption data, ensuring that production and consumption remain balanced.
Net-Metering is a vital component of the energy systems of the future. It connects consumers and the grid under a shared concept, turning every rooftop into a small yet efficient power plant.
For households, businesses, and public institutions, it represents not only a way to reduce costs, but also a path toward sustainable development.
Every kilowatt-hour of sunlight you produce works in your favor — lowering electricity bills, enhancing independence, and contributing to a cleaner environment.