The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of State-run ZESA Holdings, has introduced net metering, enabling consumers who generate excess solar energy on their premises to feed the excess back into the ZETDC network via a grid-tied inverter.
In a statement, ZETDC said any existing customer with a grid-tied solar system up to their rated power from ZETDC qualifies for Net Metering.
The power utility said those who qualify and are interested can apply to connect to the grid upon completion of the relevant application forms that are obtainable from their nearest ZETDC depot. The notice read:
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise its valued customers that the power utility has introduced the Net Metering programme.
The Net Metering programme is a scheme where customers generating solar energy on their premises can feed excess power back into the ZETDC Network through a grid-tied invertor.
Any existing customer with a grid-tied solar system up to their rated power from ZETDC qualifies for NET Metering and can apply to connect to the grid upon completion of the relevant application forms that are obtainable from their nearest ZETDC depot.
Net metering comes with benefits; the excess generation will be measured and credit units given to the generating customer rather than being forfeited and the credited units will assist in keeping the customer in the lower tariff band thus reducing the total bill at the end of the month.
Application forms can be obtained from the ZETDC Website (www.zetdc.co.zw), ZETDC depots and District offices countrywide.
Interesting… No mention this time, of paying any sort of “fee”… They must be getting desperate and/or have had some rather unprintable responses to their earlier “invitation”, which clearly stated that a charge, (no mention of the amount involved, incidentally), would be made for the application form, connections, meters etc.
No mention of all sorts of “fees”, at least not in this article! Looks like they didn’t get much of a response from their previous attempt, charging connection and other fees…!
I went to my District Depot in Borrowdale but could not get any help as they said only one person knows about the programme and was not available. Was given his phone number which is never answered.