Eskom - 'net metering' an option?

[reech]

Does anyone here know if Eskom operates a 'net metering' scheme - much like those in the states where people can actually have their meter run backwards (They get paid slightly less or the same than they get sold it for) - by hooking up various solar /wind whatever power generation devices to their home power circuitry.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_metering

Although the gross impact may initially be small I imagine this would go some way to alleviating the current crisis, while encouraging green energy.

 

[Frankie]

There's only a few commercial consumers, like Sasol and a few paper mills, that have import/export meters.
It would cost a fortune to install in the domestic market, and they'd be very exposed to abuse in this area - there's a good few areas, like informal settlements, where almost all the pre-paid meters have been defeated.

 

[reech]

It would cost a fortune to install in the domestic market..

Fine - so install on a case-by-case basis, with a risk assessment. I don't see why it's so hard to do - esp if it can be done in the US? I'm sure the power companies there would have some pretty solid tamper-proof systems for this - and the power returned to the grid could offset the initial cost of the net-meters.