On grid solar and net metering in the Philippines

Illustration of an on-grid solar system

In a nutshell on grid solar is about producing electricity without the battery as storage. Conventional solar technology dictates that to be able to produce and have a stable supply (stable supply in this sense means non-erratic, continuous) the system needs a battery.

But this is not the case for an on-grid solar system, see illustration. 

On-grid technology dishes out the need for a battery. The system is installed with a device called on-grid inverter. The on-grid inverter directly converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity and synchronizes it with the grid frequency so that it match the grid. The on-grid now acts as a parallel source of electricity. When the on grid system parallels the utility electricity from the grid (e.g. Meralco), the on grid system automatically becomes the primary source of electricity. Whenever the on grid system becomes the primary source of electricity, utility (Meralco) decreases the input supply. In the case that the house or building consumes less electricity than it needs the electricity flows out of the building and into the grid or Meralco.

The flowing out of electricity from a private building (house) is allowed in the Philippines by virtue of RA 9513 or the Renewable Act of 2008. The flowing out of electricity is called net metering in the Philippines. The electricity that flowed out of the building will be paid by the utility or by Meralco in the form of bill credit in next month billing. See below for sample of Meralco bill with a Net Metering.

Note the black box, 251 kWh was exported (flows out) from the house, with this amount of electricity flowing out, it is credited with P1147.72

On grid solar is the most economical way in using solar power systems and net metering is one of the financial incentives why on grid solar is the way to go.

(For solar energy solutions and supplies visit our website: www.eastgreenfields.com or email us at inquiry@eastgreenfields.com)