Canada

Currently in Canada, specifically in the regions of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba, they have approved regulations on net balance. Local distribution companies have also developed and implemented programs that improve the application process, specifying contractual requirements and rates approved by regulators.[22]​.

Mexico

In Mexico, since June 27, 2007, there has been an interconnection scheme for small-scale photovoltaic energy sources in all regions of the country where the Federal Electricity Commission operates and the infrastructure allows it. Under the Mexican scheme, the generator can inject its surpluses into the public network in such a way that they are credited to the payment of a minimum rate for production valid for 1 year; If there is no surplus, the difference between network consumption and generation for the period is charged. If this difference is less than the cost of the minimum production rate, the latter is charged instead of the amount of energy supplied by the public network.[23]​[24]​.

USA

In the United States, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all operators must offer net metering, at the request of their customers:[25]​.

In the US, there are currently more than 40 states that use some variant of net metering[22]​ (also called electric credit there),[26]​ New Jersey and Colorado are considered to have the best net metering policies in the US.[27]​.

Note: N/A = Not Available. Lost = subsidized by electricity. * = Dependent on electricity. Retail rate = dump continues. Paid = paid to the customer. TOU = Time of Use. ** = Austin Energy yes= yes varies=varía avoided cost=avoided cost[29]​.

Brazil

In 2012, the National Electrical Energy Agency (Aneel) of Brazil approved the standard that established the general conditions for the access of microgeneration facilities (up to 100 kW of power) and mini distributed generation (systems of up to 1 MW of power) to electrical energy distribution systems, creating an electricity compensation system.[30]​[31]​ In the Brazilian net balance scheme, the energy produced by the consumer's installation will be transferred as a free loan to the distributor, from then on the consumer unit will receive a credit in active energy that can be consumed in the following 36 months.[32]​

In the first half of 2016, the systems included in the net balance in Brazil increased sixfold, reaching nearly 30 MW.[33]​ Photovoltaic systems represent 80% of said power.[33]​.

Panama

In Panama, net metering has been regulated in supplies equipped with small photovoltaic energy systems (up to 10 kW) since September 2008. The kWh produced can be deducted from those consumed over a period of one year. The measure was approved by resolution No. AN No. 2060-Elec of September 10, 2008,[34]​ "which establishes the procedure for the interconnection of small photovoltaic systems (PSF), no larger than ten (10) kilowatts, to the low-voltage electrical networks of the electrical distribution companies." Later this resolution was modified, giving the possibility of not only injecting with solar energy systems but also with small wind systems.

In June 2012, ASEP AN resolution No. 5399-Elec[35] expanded the power of systems with a net balance regime up to 500 kW.

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, the Net Metering Program was established under Law No. 114 of August 16, 2007. Said Law establishes the eligibility criteria that the client must meet to participate in the Program. In addition, it establishes the way in which it will be compensated for the energy that the client exports to the PREPA network.[36]​.

The Regulations to establish the net metering program were subsequently published in September 2008.[37]​.

Costa Rica

The solar energy market began to expand in Costa Rica thanks to the use of net metering at the national level, and the self-generation program through renewable energies. The public company Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), launched in October 2010 the Distributed Generation Pilot Plan for Self-consumption that allows consumers to generate their own energy thanks to solar panels, and then sell the excess capacity back to the public entity,[38]​ from which installations with a power of 750 kW have benefited.[39]​ A complete regulation of the net balance in the country was approved in early 2014, allowing both exchange of surplus energy and its sale. Small installations, with a power of less than 100 kW, as well as larger generators, with a power of up to 1 MW, can benefit from this regulation.[39]​.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, steps have been taken towards self-consumption through net balance. Since 2011, electricity companies have been allowing connection in a self-consumption scheme. An agreement with the second distributor in the country (Delsur SA), which has 325,000 clients, allows photovoltaic producers who pour their surplus production into the grid to receive a discount on their bill for the same price per kWh paid.[40]​ It is expected that at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, new incentives for installation will be approved, through auctions and incentives for distributed generation.[41]​.

Guatemala

Since 2008, Guatemala has had net metering regulations that allow surplus photovoltaic generation to be poured into the grid, and which has allowed the connection of more than 70 photovoltaic kilowatts to the grid.[42]​.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is another of the Latin American countries that has a net metering law already implemented, which allows consumers who have renewable energy systems to sell their excess energy to the grid. The program came into effect in July 2011.[38]​.

If the client generates more energy than consumed, they will pay the distributor depending on the tariff in which they are: Monomic tariff (kWh), they pay costs for fixed charges; Binomial Rate (kWh + kW Max injected into the grid). This economic remuneration is given to the user every January and only 75% of the energy injected into the network.[43]​[44]​.

The program allows a maximum interconnection capacity of 25 kW for residential customers and 1 MW for other customers.[45]​.

Jamaica

Since May 2012, Jamaica has had a net metering system (or "net billing") that recognizes a value for the excess energy poured into the grid by a solar photovoltaic system.[46]​ Jamaica has the highest retail electricity prices in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Therefore, installing renewable energy systems allows not only to reduce CO emissions from small businesses but also to reduce their energy costs and improve their competitiveness.[38]​.

Grenade

In the Caribbean country of Grenada "Grenada (country)"), there is a net metering pilot project developed by the national utility Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (Grenlec). The excess energy poured into the grid by the consumer is computed at the end of each month; Each kilowatt-hour discharged is remunerated at about 0.45 dollars (0.36 euros).[47]​.

Chili

In Chile, distributed generation has been promoted through the issuance of Law 20,571 (03/22/2012), referring to the ability of electrical energy consumers to generate their own NCRE energy and inject the surpluses into the electrical distribution network.[48]​[49]​ In November 2018, it was updated with Law 21,118 on Distributed Generation, which improved the conditions for installing solar systems by allowing the installation of larger systems and new mechanisms to reap the benefits of switching to renewable energy.[50]​.

Uruguay

Uruguay was also one of the first countries in South America to adopt a distributed generation policy, launching a net metering program for renewable microgeneration in 2010. Through this initiative, customers who have equipment that generates energy for their own consumption can sell the excess energy generated to the national electrical grid. On their monthly bills they receive a credit that goes towards the energy consumed during that period.[38]​.

Argentina

Although Argentina still does not have a national law for net metering, the provinces are making concrete progress on the issue, such as the province of Chubut with its law XVII No. 107 with a credit system on what is consumed for 36 months, similar to that of Brazil.[51]​ The province of Salta approved in July 2014 Law No. 7824 on Net Balance, Residential, Industrial and/or Productive Generators. In addition, isolated net metering systems have been approved for individuals, for example in the province of Santa Fe.[52]​.

Japan

The current PV program in Japan allows users to sell the electricity generated by PV systems to a local electricity company.

Thailand

Thailand has passed net metering legislation that establishes simplified procedures for small renewable electricity generators to connect to the electricity grid.[53]​.

Lebanon

At the end of 2011, the Ministry of Energy and Water, MoEW (Ministry of Energy and Water) of Lebanon launched the Net Metering program, through which consumers who have their own renewable generation system, whether wind or photovoltaic, can formalize a contract with Electricité du Liban (EDL) that allows them to have discounts on their electricity bill according to the amount of energy they produce.[54][55]​.

Australia

Feed-in tariffs (FiT) in Australia are actually net metering, with the difference that net generation is paid monthly at a higher rate than retail, which Environment Campaigns director Mark Wakeham has called a "false premium system". and is paid at a non-premium reference price. The economic differences are very important.

Starting in 2009, households will be paid 60 cents for every kilowatt hour of excess energy dumped into the grid. This amount is almost four times the current retail price of electricity.

As of 2008, the Solar Bonus Scheme pays 44 cents for every kilowatt hour of excess energy fed into the public grid. This is around three times the current retail price of electricity.

Guerrilla Solar (or solar guerrilla movement) is a term originated by Home Power magazine and applies to a person who uses an alternative energy source to illegally supply electricity to a public electrical grid.[57]​.

Canada

Currently in Canada, specifically in the regions of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba, they have approved regulations on net balance. Local distribution companies have also developed and implemented programs that improve the application process, specifying contractual requirements and rates approved by regulators.[22]​.

Mexico

In Mexico, since June 27, 2007, there has been an interconnection scheme for small-scale photovoltaic energy sources in all regions of the country where the Federal Electricity Commission operates and the infrastructure allows it. Under the Mexican scheme, the generator can inject its surpluses into the public network in such a way that they are credited to the payment of a minimum rate for production valid for 1 year; If there is no surplus, the difference between network consumption and generation for the period is charged. If this difference is less than the cost of the minimum production rate, the latter is charged instead of the amount of energy supplied by the public network.[23]​[24]​.

USA

In the United States, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all operators must offer net metering, at the request of their customers:[25]​.

In the US, there are currently more than 40 states that use some variant of net metering[22]​ (also called electric credit there),[26]​ New Jersey and Colorado are considered to have the best net metering policies in the US.[27]​.

Note: N/A = Not Available. Lost = subsidized by electricity. * = Dependent on electricity. Retail rate = dump continues. Paid = paid to the customer. TOU = Time of Use. ** = Austin Energy yes= yes varies=varía avoided cost=avoided cost[29]​.

Brazil

In 2012, the National Electrical Energy Agency (Aneel) of Brazil approved the standard that established the general conditions for the access of microgeneration facilities (up to 100 kW of power) and mini distributed generation (systems of up to 1 MW of power) to electrical energy distribution systems, creating an electricity compensation system.[30]​[31]​ In the Brazilian net balance scheme, the energy produced by the consumer's installation will be transferred as a free loan to the distributor, from then on the consumer unit will receive a credit in active energy that can be consumed in the following 36 months.[32]​

In the first half of 2016, the systems included in the net balance in Brazil increased sixfold, reaching nearly 30 MW.[33]​ Photovoltaic systems represent 80% of said power.[33]​.

Panama

In Panama, net metering has been regulated in supplies equipped with small photovoltaic energy systems (up to 10 kW) since September 2008. The kWh produced can be deducted from those consumed over a period of one year. The measure was approved by resolution No. AN No. 2060-Elec of September 10, 2008,[34]​ "which establishes the procedure for the interconnection of small photovoltaic systems (PSF), no larger than ten (10) kilowatts, to the low-voltage electrical networks of the electrical distribution companies." Later this resolution was modified, giving the possibility of not only injecting with solar energy systems but also with small wind systems.

In June 2012, ASEP AN resolution No. 5399-Elec[35] expanded the power of systems with a net balance regime up to 500 kW.

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, the Net Metering Program was established under Law No. 114 of August 16, 2007. Said Law establishes the eligibility criteria that the client must meet to participate in the Program. In addition, it establishes the way in which it will be compensated for the energy that the client exports to the PREPA network.[36]​.

The Regulations to establish the net metering program were subsequently published in September 2008.[37]​.

Costa Rica

The solar energy market began to expand in Costa Rica thanks to the use of net metering at the national level, and the self-generation program through renewable energies. The public company Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), launched in October 2010 the Distributed Generation Pilot Plan for Self-consumption that allows consumers to generate their own energy thanks to solar panels, and then sell the excess capacity back to the public entity,[38]​ from which installations with a power of 750 kW have benefited.[39]​ A complete regulation of the net balance in the country was approved in early 2014, allowing both exchange of surplus energy and its sale. Small installations, with a power of less than 100 kW, as well as larger generators, with a power of up to 1 MW, can benefit from this regulation.[39]​.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, steps have been taken towards self-consumption through net balance. Since 2011, electricity companies have been allowing connection in a self-consumption scheme. An agreement with the second distributor in the country (Delsur SA), which has 325,000 clients, allows photovoltaic producers who pour their surplus production into the grid to receive a discount on their bill for the same price per kWh paid.[40]​ It is expected that at the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013, new incentives for installation will be approved, through auctions and incentives for distributed generation.[41]​.

Guatemala

Since 2008, Guatemala has had net metering regulations that allow surplus photovoltaic generation to be poured into the grid, and which has allowed the connection of more than 70 photovoltaic kilowatts to the grid.[42]​.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is another of the Latin American countries that has a net metering law already implemented, which allows consumers who have renewable energy systems to sell their excess energy to the grid. The program came into effect in July 2011.[38]​.

If the client generates more energy than consumed, they will pay the distributor depending on the tariff in which they are: Monomic tariff (kWh), they pay costs for fixed charges; Binomial Rate (kWh + kW Max injected into the grid). This economic remuneration is given to the user every January and only 75% of the energy injected into the network.[43]​[44]​.

The program allows a maximum interconnection capacity of 25 kW for residential customers and 1 MW for other customers.[45]​.

Jamaica

Since May 2012, Jamaica has had a net metering system (or "net billing") that recognizes a value for the excess energy poured into the grid by a solar photovoltaic system.[46]​ Jamaica has the highest retail electricity prices in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Therefore, installing renewable energy systems allows not only to reduce CO emissions from small businesses but also to reduce their energy costs and improve their competitiveness.[38]​.

Grenade

In the Caribbean country of Grenada "Grenada (country)"), there is a net metering pilot project developed by the national utility Grenada Electricity Services Ltd (Grenlec). The excess energy poured into the grid by the consumer is computed at the end of each month; Each kilowatt-hour discharged is remunerated at about 0.45 dollars (0.36 euros).[47]​.

Chili

In Chile, distributed generation has been promoted through the issuance of Law 20,571 (03/22/2012), referring to the ability of electrical energy consumers to generate their own NCRE energy and inject the surpluses into the electrical distribution network.[48]​[49]​ In November 2018, it was updated with Law 21,118 on Distributed Generation, which improved the conditions for installing solar systems by allowing the installation of larger systems and new mechanisms to reap the benefits of switching to renewable energy.[50]​.

Uruguay

Uruguay was also one of the first countries in South America to adopt a distributed generation policy, launching a net metering program for renewable microgeneration in 2010. Through this initiative, customers who have equipment that generates energy for their own consumption can sell the excess energy generated to the national electrical grid. On their monthly bills they receive a credit that goes towards the energy consumed during that period.[38]​.

Argentina

Although Argentina still does not have a national law for net metering, the provinces are making concrete progress on the issue, such as the province of Chubut with its law XVII No. 107 with a credit system on what is consumed for 36 months, similar to that of Brazil.[51]​ The province of Salta approved in July 2014 Law No. 7824 on Net Balance, Residential, Industrial and/or Productive Generators. In addition, isolated net metering systems have been approved for individuals, for example in the province of Santa Fe.[52]​.

Japan

The current PV program in Japan allows users to sell the electricity generated by PV systems to a local electricity company.

Thailand

Thailand has passed net metering legislation that establishes simplified procedures for small renewable electricity generators to connect to the electricity grid.[53]​.

Lebanon

At the end of 2011, the Ministry of Energy and Water, MoEW (Ministry of Energy and Water) of Lebanon launched the Net Metering program, through which consumers who have their own renewable generation system, whether wind or photovoltaic, can formalize a contract with Electricité du Liban (EDL) that allows them to have discounts on their electricity bill according to the amount of energy they produce.[54][55]​.

Australia

Feed-in tariffs (FiT) in Australia are actually net metering, with the difference that net generation is paid monthly at a higher rate than retail, which Environment Campaigns director Mark Wakeham has called a "false premium system". and is paid at a non-premium reference price. The economic differences are very important.

Starting in 2009, households will be paid 60 cents for every kilowatt hour of excess energy dumped into the grid. This amount is almost four times the current retail price of electricity.

As of 2008, the Solar Bonus Scheme pays 44 cents for every kilowatt hour of excess energy fed into the public grid. This is around three times the current retail price of electricity.

Guerrilla Solar (or solar guerrilla movement) is a term originated by Home Power magazine and applies to a person who uses an alternative energy source to illegally supply electricity to a public electrical grid.[57]​.