Solar with net-metering in Kalinga proposed to reduce power bills

Tabuk City, Kalinga – During the energy summit held on Tuesday, September 20, at Kalinga Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, Board Member Lester Lee Tarnate raised an inquiry on the implementation of net-metering in the province to cut power bills.

This is in connection with households or businesses using on-grid solar energy, which means they are utilizing solar energy and electricity from KAELCO when needed.

Net-metering, according to the energy department, allows customers of distribution utilities to install an on-site renewable energy facility such as solar, wind, biomass or biogas energy systems, not exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW) in capacity so they can generate electricity for their own use.

Any electricity generated that is not consumed is automatically exported to the distribution system of a distribution utility such as the Kalinga Electric Cooperative, Inc. (KAELCO). The distribution utility then gives a peso credit for the excess electricity received equivalent to the DU’s blended generation cost, excluding other generation adjustments, and deducts the credits earned from the customer’s electric bill.

“For example, kanyak, agi-put up ak ti solar… for example 20 kW ket han ko nga na-consume amin diay, di ba mabalin met nga gatangen iti nalaklaka?” asked Tarnate.

In response, KAELCO’s Corporate Plan Chief Leonardo C. Egcatan explained that consumers planning for net-metering may approach their office for arrangements. In case of implementation, the electric cooperative will pay for the generated electricity sent to the KAELCO line.

“Let’s say nu kuna yu nga agpatakder kayo ti solar panel idiay balay yu, let’s say tatta nga aldaw, awan kayo idiay, adda kayo ditoy ngem ag-gengenerate diay solar. At the end of the billing month, mai-compare diay in-supply ni KAELCO ken diay nai-produce ti solar mo. Nu man adda excess, just in case nga in-deliver mo kenni KAELCO, bayadan mi idiay generation rate nga agdama nga billing kasi awan pay lang ti nai-set nga price ti net metering. Nu manu ti generation rate idiay nga billing, diay ti computation tayo,” disclosed Egcatan.

Engr. Daniel C. Peckley Jr., the General Manager of Bulanao Hydroelectric Power Plant, recommended that KAELCO should sign a net-metering agreement with the consumers with solar panels to avoid future issues.

“Ta nu adda gamin diay agreement, we assume nga pwersado kayo nga mangbayad diay anyaman nga excess nga kuryente, ta nu awan gamin ti agreement, kapilitan a nga ibaga yun tu siguro ti consumer nga awan met ti agreement tayo, apay ngay nga bayadan mi ngay dakayo,” said Peckley.

Another energy summit will be held by next month to finalize solutions discussed in lowering consumer bills.

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