Unfair, too complex, convoluted and difficult to understand even for professionals - the new prosumer billing system has many opponents. More and more often voices are heard talking about necessary changes in the net-billing system. The industry editorial team of GLOBENERGIA has developed 4 postulates that would significantly improve the situation of Polish prosumers. What are we talking about?
Net-billing not so rosy after all?
Net billing was supposed to be simple and understandable for everyone. Unfortunately, reality differs significantly from predictions. More and more prosumers are expressing their dissatisfaction. It turns out that net billing is not as beneficial and transparent as the old system. Let us recall that net billing replaced the previously used discount system (net metering) in 2022, which had been in operation since 2016 and largely contributed to the growing interest of Poles in investing in photovoltaics. What can be done to make net billing equal the discount system? The GLOBENERGIA editorial team, based on observations of the energy market, has developed 4 necessary changes that would improve the situation of prosumers . What is in the "Prosumer Four-Pack"?
For greater fairness – guaranteed minimum buyback price
The first important issue that would change the net-billing system for the better is the introduction of a guaranteed minimum buy-back price for electricity. This value should be set in accordance with market realities, based on the most volatile stock exchange prices. Why is it so important? According to experts, the lack of a minimum buy-back price contributes to the imbalance between individual and commercial investors. The latter benefit from the auction system, which guarantees them revenues at a specific, expected level. Prosumers do not have this guarantee. The minimum buy-back price would introduce predictability of investments. Thanks to it, the system would be more fair.
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For higher profitability – deposit settlement without VAT
In the current form of the net-billing system, the prosumer pays a deposit for energy, to which VAT is previously added. This significantly reduces the profitability of the system for individual investors. Introducing the principle of settling the deposit without VAT would solve this problem. This means that the tax would be added only after settling the balance between the net value of purchased energy and the net value of the producer deposit.
For greater flexibility - the ability to cover all invoice components with a deposit
Currently, the way of disposing of funds in the prosumer deposit is very limited. Among other things, it does not allow for covering all elements of the invoice. In other words, the system lacks flexibility, which would significantly facilitate prosumers' settlement with an external energy supplier. Introducing a system that would allow for covering all elements of the invoice with funds from the deposit is fair and worthwhile. After all, the prosumer sells the energy produced, i.e. real value for real money, thus accumulating the prosumer deposit. Using the deposit in a flexible way is a logical solution.
For the greatest benefits – the possibility of withdrawing 100% of the deposit surplus or settling it in subsequent years
A major disadvantage of the net-billing system is that as much as 80% of the deposit is lost in the next billing year. This is unfair to prosumers. First of all, because the surpluses they transfer go to the account of the power plant, which derives financial benefits from them. Full rights regarding the use of the deposit should belong to prosumers. After all, they are the real investors who should derive the greatest benefits from the photovoltaic project. The possibility of paying out 100% of the deposit surpluses or settling them in subsequent years is the only right and fully fair solution.
The development of prosumer photovoltaics is an important pillar of the Polish energy sector. Therefore, the system should be improved to encourage individual investors to install home PV systems. Prosumers fully deserve a fair, based on clear rules and, most importantly, cost-effective method of settlement.
In addition, prosumers do not have to wait for changes in the system to improve their financial situation. One solution is to install an energy storage, which allows to reduce the impact of regulations from 80% to 45%. Such action increases energy independence and also allows for better management of produced energy, especially in periods when its production is higher than consumption. Energy storage, although associated with an additional investment cost, can significantly increase the profitability of a photovoltaic installation, allowing prosumers to better use the energy produced.
