How are photovoltaic systems billed in Belgium?

More than 420,000 photovoltaic systems have been installed in private households in Belgium and a majority of them are billed through a net metering scheme. With net metering, a household with a PV system will only be charged the difference between the solar energy fed into the grid and the energy drawn from the grid.

How does net metering work in Belgium?

With net metering, a household with a PV system will only be charged the difference between the solar energy fed into the grid and the energy drawn from the grid. However, the Belgian government has changed its regulations and will now offer a subsidy for residential storage.

Can a residential PV system still operate under net metering?

Under the previous regulatory framework, residential PV system owners were granted a 15-year grace period during which they could continue to operate under net metering with a smart digital meter, just like if they still had a standard meter.

Are smart meters mandatory for rooftop PV operators in Belgium?

The mandatory installation of smart meters for rooftop PV operators began in 2021. The meter replacement is free for households and businesses, with three contractors authorized to carry out the installations. Belgium’s solar capacity had surpassed 9.8 GW by the end of 2023, mostly from rooftop systems up to 10 kW in size.

Which PV plants are eligible for net metering?

Net metering is allowed for PV plants with a capacity below 10 kW in Wallonia and Flanders and below 5 kW in the Brussels region. With net metering, pro-sumers are allowed to compensate production and consumption on an annual basis.

Does Flanders have a smart meter issue?

The smart meter issue is affecting the vast majority of PV system owners in Flanders. Most of the region's PV capacity, in fact, is represented by solar installations not exceeding 10 kW in size, that operate under the net metering regime.