“Are solar panels being phased out?”
“Are they no longer worth the investment?”
“Should we wait for a subsidy scheme?”
If you have asked even one of these questions, you are not alone.
We hear them every day, and they almost always stem from the same place: confusion.
This uncertainty does not arise because the subject is excessively complicated, but because the information reaching the market is often fragmented, incomplete or contradictory.
That is why we have brought together the 10 questions we hear most frequently from households across Cyprus and answered them just as we do in our everyday conversations: clearly, without exaggeration and with respect for the genuine needs of each home.
Question 1: What exactly is Net Billing?
Net Billing is the framework used to calculate the financial value of the electricity generated by a solar photovoltaic system, consumed on-site and, when there is a surplus, exported to the grid.
In practice, the energy consumed at the time it is generated has the greatest value. Any surplus energy exported to the grid that does not offset energy drawn from the grid during the same billing period is compensated differently from the traditional net-metering system.
This represents a change in how surplus generation is valued. It does not, under any circumstances, mean that solar PV systems are being abolished.
Question 2: Does this mean that energy netting is being abolished?
No. The ability to offset energy generation against consumption remains in place. What changes is the method used to compensate surplus energy that is not consumed on-site, as well as the value assigned to it.
Question 3: So, is installing solar panels no longer worthwhile?
This is one of the questions we are asked most frequently.
A solar PV system that has been properly designed by experienced engineers using actual consumption data can still deliver a substantial reduction in energy costs.
Question 4: Is it worth proceeding if no subsidy is available?
Yes.
Installing solar panels does not depend on the availability of a subsidy, nor does proceeding now necessarily exclude a household from future support schemes.
Subsidies provide additional assistance, but they are not a prerequisite for achieving financial benefits. Even without a subsidy, the primary benefit comes from significantly reducing the cost of electricity consumption. The investment’s payback period will typically be extended by only one to two years, depending on the household’s consumption profile.
Question 5: What changes if no one is at home during the day?
The fundamental value of the system does not change, but the way it should be designed does.
When most electricity is consumed in the morning and evening, the goal is not necessarily to generate as much surplus energy as possible. Instead, the system should be carefully sized and its production properly aligned with the household’s consumption pattern.
Net Billing highlights the importance of balance, not excess.
Question 6: Should I install more panels just to be on the safe side?
Under the current framework, having more solar panels does not necessarily lead to greater savings.
It often means a higher initial investment and the generation of electricity that cannot be fully utilised, resulting in a longer payback period.
Real peace of mind comes from matching the system correctly to the needs of the household.
Question 7: Do I need a battery for the system to be worthwhile?
Not in every case.
A battery can be particularly useful for certain consumption profiles, but it is not automatically the right choice for every home.
Its value becomes clear when it forms part of a comprehensive energy plan rather than being treated as a standalone solution.
Question 8: Does the quality of the equipment matter?
More than ever.
Under a framework that places greater emphasis on self-consumption, actual system performance, equipment reliability and the quality of the technical design all have a direct impact on the final outcome.
A system that appears suitable “on paper” does not always perform equally well in practice.
Question 9: Are there any additional financial benefits beyond lower electricity bills?
Yes.
Improving the energy efficiency of a primary residence may qualify homeowners for tax relief. These tax benefits operate independently of subsidy schemes and constitute a legally established entitlement for eligible taxpayers.
For many households, this can be an important part of the overall decision.
Question 10: Should I proceed now or wait?
Generally speaking, delaying the installation of a solar PV system means that the household continues to incur energy costs in the meantime.
What remains unchanged is that self-consumption continues to be a powerful way to reduce energy costs. Net Billing is a viable solution, it does not undermine the value of solar PV systems.
The right time to proceed – and the right solution – depends on the individual profile of each home.
Conclusion
Net Billing does not make solar PV systems less useful.
It makes them an investment that requires more careful planning and more informed decision-making.
That is why accurate system design, the quality of the proposed solution and the experience of the chosen provider matter more today than ever before.
Every home has different needs, consumption habits and priorities.
Under Net Billing, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
If you have questions or would like to understand what Net Billing means for your particular circumstances, a discussion based on real consumption data is always the most valuable first step.
At EnergyIntel, we approach every project individually. Our goal is to provide well-founded, realistic solutions tailored to the genuine needs of each household.
