Net Metering
Regulation
Net metering is an electricity accounting scheme that credits the surplus energy a rooftop solar (PLTS Atap) system exports to the PLN grid against the customer's bill. In Indonesia, this scheme has been abolished for new customers since [Permen ESDM No. 2 Tahun 2024] took effect on 31 January 2024.
Synonyms: Net-Metering, Netmetering
Before 31 January 2024, the export-import scheme for rooftop solar in Indonesia was governed by Permen ESDM 26/2021 at a 1:0.65 ratio — exported surplus was valued at 65% of the imported value. This is the scheme commonly referred to as net metering across many online articles.
[Permen ESDM No. 2 Tahun 2024] — enacted on 29 January 2024 and effective 31 January 2024 — repealed Permen 26/2021 in its entirety. Article 13 states that surplus electrical energy from a rooftop solar system fed into the IUPTLU holder's grid is not taken into account when determining the customer's electricity bill; there is no financial compensation, no kWh credit, and no deposit.
Article 47 provides a grandfather clause: customers with IUPTLU approval before 31 January 2024 keep the old export-import scheme for 10 years from the approval date. In place of net metering, the new regulation applies a five-year quota system, removes the installation capacity cap, and waives capacity charges and emergency-service fees for industrial customers. As of April 2026, no new Permen ESDM has revised this policy.
PLTS Indonesia Application Example
An R-1 2,200 VA customer installing a 5 kWp on-grid PLTS system after 31 January 2024 receives no compensation for export surplus [Permen ESDM No. 2 Tahun 2024]. To maximise savings, many consumers switch to a hybrid scheme so that surplus is stored in batteries and consumed by nighttime loads.
Sources & References
- Permen ESDM No. 2 Tahun 2024 on Rooftop Solar Power Plants Connected to the Electricity Grid of IUPTLU Holders — Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) (2024)
- Revision of the Rooftop Solar Permen ESDM: Electricity Buy-Sell Scheme Abolished — Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) (2024)
- Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), ESDM — Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) (2024)
See Also
On-Grid
On-grid, or grid-tied, is a solar PV (PLTS) scheme that is connected in parallel with the PLN grid and uses no battery. The inverter synchronizes its output to PLN's voltage and frequency; when the panels produce more than the load, the surplus flows to the grid, and when production is insufficient, the load draws from the grid.
Hybrid
Hybrid is a solar PV (PLTS) scheme that combines a PLN grid connection with an energy-storage battery. The hybrid inverter manages three flows at once: panel to load, panel to battery, and grid to battery (or battery to grid). This scheme provides electricity availability during PLN outages while optimizing self-consumption.
kWh
(Kilowatt-Hour)kWh, or kilowatt-hour, is the unit of electrical energy PLN uses to calculate bills: the amount of electrical power (in kilowatts) multiplied by the duration of use (in hours). One kWh is equivalent to running a 1,000-watt load for one full hour. In the non-subsidized R-1 tariff class for Q1 2026, each kWh is priced at Rp 1,444.70 [PLN tariff adjustment Q1 2026].