Mining energyThe postponement period for the installation of the digital meter is almost expiring. Anyone who installed solar panels between 2009 and 2021 can temporarily refuse that meter until December 31 of this year. Many consumers fear that the end of this deferral period will immediately result in a sharp increase in their energy bill. Mijnenergie.be checked whether this fear is justified.
By Kurt Deman, in collaboration with Mijnenergie
27-04-24, 11:10
Source:
Mijnenergie.be
The digital meter separates the consumption and injection of current. The device ensures that the grid operator and your energy supplier know exactly how much power you withdraw from the grid or add to it via your solar panels. You pay a consumption rate for the energy purchased, and for the ‘excess’ energy you receive an injection fee from your energy supplier. All electricity you use when your solar panels generate it is free.
Hard numbers: Never before have energy suppliers paid so little for the power from your solar panels.
Prosumer rate versus injection rate
From the various online protest groups against the digital meter, we deduce that many consumers use the postponement option for the installation of the digital meter for budgetary reasons. With an analogue meter, their counter still runs backwards and the net consumption may be zero kilowatt hours. It is then sufficient to only pay the prosumer rate. According to a large group of prosumers, the disappearance of that prosumer rate does not outweigh the benefits they enjoy with a reversing counter. This requires an experimental test.
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At the cheapest current prices according to Mijnenergie.be, the energy bill with a digital meter is 239.47 euros higher per year compared to an analogue meter with a reversing counter. Owners of a digital meter are still entitled to a retroactive investment premium from the Flemish government. If you installed your solar panels in 2016 and the inverter power is 3.5 kilowatt peak, you will receive 1,337 euros. That premium will drop in 2025 and then disappear completely.
Reading tip: Why you may benefit financially by requesting the digital meter yourself now.
Conclusion
The digital meter does result in a higher energy bill. Due to the sharp drop in consumer prices, the disadvantage is more limited compared to a year ago. Anyone who also manages to better match their consumption to the power generated by the solar panels also pays less. The retroactive investment premium from the Flemish government also partly levels out the disadvantage for owners of a digital meter. In addition, a lot depends on your energy contract. At the most expensive variable rate according to Mijnenergie.be, you pay almost 300 euros more per year with a digital meter.
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Read more on Mijnenergie.be:
Do you have solar panels and is your counter still running backwards? Then you pay extra costs with more and more suppliers
New system automatically switches on Bosch or Siemens appliances at the most economical time: the pros and cons in the spotlight
Is the power from your solar panels worth a little more this spring and summer?
This article was brought to you by our partner Mijnenergie.be.
Mijnenergie.be is an independent energy price comparator of electricity and gas offers.
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Tags: Delay period installing digital meters fears bill shock justified MyGuide
