Prosumer — definition, rights and billing
What is an energy prosumer? Definition, net-billing rules, prosumer rights in Poland and benefits of being a prosumer.
What is a prosumer?
A prosumer is a person who simultaneously produces and consumes electricity. The term combines the words "producer" and "consumer". In practice, a prosumer is most often a homeowner with a photovoltaic installation who produces electricity for their own needs and feeds surplus into the grid.
Who can be a prosumer?
In Poland, a prosumer can be:
- Individual person with a renewable energy installation up to 50 kWp
- Housing community
- Micro and small entrepreneur
The most popular form is rooftop photovoltaics — a 3–10 kWp installation for a typical household.
Prosumer billing systems
Net-metering (until 2022)
The "discount" system — the prosumer fed surplus energy into the grid and could retrieve:
- 80% of the fed energy (installation up to 10 kWp)
- 70% (installation above 10 kWp)
Prosumers who submitted applications before April 1, 2022, keep this system for 15 years.
Net-billing (from 2022)
New system for new prosumers:
- You sell surplus energy at market price (RCEm — Market Energy Price)
- You buy energy from the grid at retail price (higher)
- Revenue from sales goes to the prosumer deposit — you can use it to pay for energy drawn from the grid
The selling price is lower than the buying price, so self-consumption (using electricity when it's produced) is crucial for profitability.
Prosumer rights
- Right to connect renewable energy installation to the grid
- Free replacement of meter with a bidirectional one
- Billing in net-billing or net-metering system
- No need to run a business
- Exemption from excise tax on energy produced for own needs
Benefits of being a prosumer
- Lower electricity bills — even by 70–90% in the net-metering system
- Protection against price increases — you produce your own electricity
- Income from surplus — in net-billing system you sell energy
- Subsidies — Mój Prąd, Czyste Powietrze, thermal modernization relief
- Increased property value — home with photovoltaics is more attractive
How Freenance can help
Freenance allows you to track savings from photovoltaics — you compare electricity bills before and after installation, see real ROI and the impact of being a prosumer on your household budget and Financial Freedom Runway.
Want full control over your finances?
Try Freenance for free