Energy Communities
Energy Communities are urban cooperatives with a specific purpose, through which members (individuals, businesses, or organizations) can become active in the energy sector. At TopSolar, we undertake the strategic guidance and technical implementation for the creation and operation of an Energy Community, transforming consumers into producers.
Cost Reduction for Businesses & Households
By participating in a community, small and medium-sized businesses and households gain access to economies of scale. The cost of constructing and maintaining a large joint project is significantly lower than many small individual projects.
Priority in Funding & Networking
Energy Communities receive favorable treatment under the legislative framework:
• Priority review of applications by HEDNO for connection terms.
• Special NSRF funds and programs from the Ministry of Environment & Energy aimed exclusively at collective schemes.
• Tax incentives and the possibility of distributing surpluses to members.
Energy Autonomy for Farmers & Local Authorities
In the agricultural sector in particular, E.KOIN. allows producers to eliminate the energy costs of their irrigation systems and processing units, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of their products.
TopSolar’s Contribution to Your Energy Community
Creating an Energy Community requires a combination of technical, legal, and financial expertise. Our team provides:
• Techno-economic Feasibility Study: Analysis of the consumption profiles of all members for optimal project dimensioning.
• Financing Consulting: Full support for participation in subsidized programs (NSRF, Development).
• Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC): Design and implementation of the photovoltaic park with state-of-the-art equipment.
• Management & Maintenance: Monitoring of production and ensuring fair distribution of energy to members through smart monitoring systems..
Net Billing
Net Billing (Simultaneous Self-Consumption) is the next step in the energy transition. Unlike traditional Net Metering, where offsetting was done at the energy level (kWh), Net Billing introduces real-time monetary offsetting.
How does it work in practical terms?
The mechanism is based on two simultaneous processes:
• Self-consumption: The energy produced by the photovoltaic panels is consumed directly by the company’s electrical appliances or machinery. The consumer pays nothing for this energy (neither energy costs nor regulated charges).
• Surplus Export: Energy that is not consumed at the time of production is fed into the grid (HEDNO). The producer is compensated for this energy based on the Market Clearing Price (MCP) of the Energy Exchange.
The Financial Benefits for Your Business
For those of you looking for the best return on your investment, Net Billing offers:
• Immediate Liquidity: Surplus energy is converted into a credit balance on your electricity bill, drastically reducing the final amount payable.
• Protection from Instability: By reducing dependence on the grid during peak hours (daytime), the business is shielded from energy price fluctuations.
• Multi-year Contract: Compensation for energy fed into the grid is guaranteed through a contract with the Hellenic Electricity Market Operator (HEnEx), offering a stable investment horizon.
Virtual Net Billing: Solution for Remote Units
One of the most powerful applications is Virtual Net Billing. It allows a business or municipality to install a photovoltaic system in one location (e.g., a sunny plot of land) and offset the value of the energy produced against consumption in other locations (e.g., offices in the city center, hotels, or pumping stations).
The Importance of Storage (Batteries)
In Net Billing, adding a battery changes the ROI (Return on Investment) data:
• Increased Synchronization: You store energy at noon and consume it at night, avoiding the purchase of expensive electricity from the grid.
• Maximizing Benefits: Self-consumption is always more profitable than selling energy to the grid. The battery ensures that the largest percentage of your production remains “within the walls.”
Why is TopSolar your partner in Net Billing?
1. Specialized Study Software: We use advanced simulation tools to predict the degree of synchronization of your business, ensuring that the system is neither “too small” nor “too large.”
2. Subsidy Management: As consultants with experience in ESPA and the Development Law, we integrate the technical project into the appropriate financial framework for maximum subsidy.
3. High-End Equipment: We select inverters and panels that support smart energy management for automatic optimization of net billing.
