Cost based on net energy

Hello,
If possible, how do I have pvoutput.org calculate

the energy cost based on net energy. At the moment it the calculation is being performed on energy import.
Regards,
Ron

Hi Ron,

Welcome to PVO. You need to populate both the Credit and Debit rates within the System Settings for your particular system. Don’t forget the ( fixed ) daily cost if you have one.

Depending on your circumstances it will be a flat tariff or a TOU ( time of use ) tariff, or combination of the two.

Grannos

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Hi Grannos,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It is still a bit confusing, but I will study the help info.
Regards,
Ron

I’m a fanatic for knowing if things are being calculated correctly, and if not why (Often bad config, but without details it’s hard to know).
I’d like the ability for the live view to show the nett cost on each 5 minute interval… And perhaps a hover over popup that would show the calculation. Anyone know if this is possible?

Hi Ron,
As a basic example I get paid a flat tariff of 7.135 c/kWhr for what I export to the grid.
I pay a flat tariff of 32.3719 c/kWhr for what I import from the grid.
I pay a daily fee / Service Charge of 116.0505 cents for the privilege of being connected to the grid.

My electricity supplier ( there is only one ) also offer a Time of Use tariff. By logging my usage and generation as Peak, Off Peak and Shoulder [ even with an identical rate ] I can easily export my usage and consumption broken down by ToU. I can feed the differing usage amounts by time into Excel and calculate what it would have cost if I switched to a ToU tariff from my flat tariff. The last time I did this the ToU tariff what be around 15% more expensive over a twelve month period. Needless to say I am staying on the flat tariff for now.

Good Luck

Grannos

To calculate the tariff at each 5-minute interval you’ll need to change your import and export model from “Net Daily” to “Net”

image

This explains the different models supported -

https://pvoutput.org/help/tariffs.html#tariff-models

Under the “Net Daily” model, export credits will never register if the total daily consumption exceeds total daily generation at the end of the day.

Hi,
Thanks for the information. I have corrected my configuration.
Regards,
Ron

OK, I am asking for some detailed help with setting up Pvoutout.org to match (as closely as possible the information presented below regarding my power company’s electric charges. I am simply having a hard time translating the information below to parameters/values that Pvoutput.org needs. Please note: I am on NET metering only (NET as defined by the power company). I receive no moneys if my solar system produces more than I consume. Solar generation simply lowers my electric bill. If by chance my solar system produces more than I consume (on a monthly) basis, this excess is applied as carry over credits to my next month’s bill (in kilowatts). (Note: my solar system has never produced more than I consume on a monthly basis).

Details of my electric plan as provided by the power company (produced by Grok).

1. Default/Standard Option: Schedule 1 (Basic Residential Rate)

This is the default for most residential customers. It provides a relatively flat effective rate with minor tiering and seasonal nuances in the generation component. It is the simplest “plan” and serves as a baseline for comparison.

Key components (effective for usage on/after January 1, 2026; rates reflect recent SCC-approved base rate adjustments):

  • Basic Customer Charge: $7.58 per month.
  • Distribution kWh Charge (delivery portion, same year-round):
    • First 800 kWh: 3.5690¢ per kWh.
    • Over 800 kWh: 2.3596¢ per kWh.
  • Generation (Electricity Supply) kWh Charge (varies seasonally):
    • June–September (summer): First 800 kWh at 3.1212¢; over 800 at 4.6243¢.
    • October–May (non-summer): First 800 kWh at 3.0064¢; over 800 at 2.6965¢.
  • Transmission kWh Charge: 0.970¢ per kWh (flat).
  • Riders and other charges: All kWh are subject to applicable riders (fuel adjustments, etc.) and non-bypassable charges. These can add to the effective rate. Net metering customers with larger renewable systems (>15 kW) may face additional standby charges.
  • Effective blended rate reference: Dominion notes that basic residential customers typically pay 11–13¢ per kWh overall (before full riders/taxes), though actual bills depend on usage, season, and adjustments.

Regards,
Ron

Hi Ron,

That plan is a shocker, no pun intended. Fortunately I have never had a need to attempt to encode anything like that into PVO. Hopefully some others on this forum may be able to assist you.

By contrast my plan is about as simple as it gets. I don’t have an additional home [ on the same meter ] so the 2nd clause doesn’t apply. Our fees are generally indexed ( to inflation ) on the 1st of July each year.

Hi,
Thanks. Yea, the way this power company has its rates setup is a real mess. There are other additional charges that vary from month to month depending on a multiplicity of factors.
Cheers

Hi Ron, perhaps this might be a better fit for you.it seams to have better rates, Jim