Ok, if this discussion is interesting for others, let's keep it here.
I agree, if you live outside the Eneco-area you'll have to pay much more,
but 10 kWp is an extremely large installation for domestic use! It will
generate something like 8000 kWh per year. This kind of work will take more
than just adding an extra fuse ;-)
Now let's assume that you use 3000 kWh yourself per year, that means that
you will return 5000 kWh to the grid... I'm not sure but I heard that Essent
pays 20 cents/kWh that you generate (worth checking?), while Eneco does not
pay anything at this moment. Keep in mind that this is still an undefined
area, nobody can tell what powercompanies will pay for your solar-energy in
the near future. The EU wants powercompanies to buy 'green' electricity from
individuals, but when that kind of energy is cheaper in large quantities in
other countries (whose green energysources are sometimes a little less green
than the Dutch government wants them to be), they're not lining up to buy
the small amount of energy from your panels.
If you want the Eneco-bonus, you have to be an Eneco customer. Since I buy
my green power from another company (free market woohoo!), I did thorough
research on this. This is what I got in writing: "You are an Eneco-customer,
if you have a contract with us for electricity OR natural gas OR heat OR
cold (?) . The 'OR' is important here, you don't have to buy electricity
from them, if you buy gas it's ok. That is my situation and it worked.
Finding info on the Eneco-site is very difficult, it was there a couple of
months ago, but it's gone now. They do promote their own solar-panels, which
are way, way too expensive by the way!!! Look here for the Eneco-bonus, not
an official site:
http://www.zon-licht.nl/
If you're looking for other general solar-power info, this is a great site.
175 m2 roof should be sufficient for about 20 kWp ! Make sure that your
Essent energy-meter is able to run backwards, the newer digital versions
can't :-(
Also, when it does run backwards but your powercompany isn't willing to pay
you for the generated energy, your break-even point will change (in a
negative way).
Bottom line is: I bought an extra 16 panels this year and everything worked
out perfectly. It generates a lot of power (great weather in may/july) and I
received the exact amount of money I calculated. Solar-panels may still be
expensive (without the Eneco-bonus), but wait till next year. All
energy-bonusses will be much lower and the Dutch eco-tax is likely to be
increased. Think about that when you make your decission.
