Questions about EMEC and solar power plants?
See answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
1. Who are the solar power plants intended for?
Your home or business premises may not be suitable for installing solar panels. This may be the case, for example, if:
- your roof is not favorable or gets a lot of shade from trees or other obstacles
- you live in a monument or rental property
- you do not find solar panels beautiful on your own roof
- you live in an apartment without authority over the roof space
2. What is the maximum amount of investment I can make?
The SCE scheme requires the cooperative to have at least one member in the postcode roos for every 5000 kWh of electricity generated. It is not indicated how the distribution of kWh should be spread over the members. Therefore, for a plant of 75,000 kWh per year, we must have at least 75,000/5000 = 15 members (may be more but not less). It can mean that each participant takes exactly 5000 kWh for his/her share, but also that one member participates for 1000 kWh and another member for 9000 kWh.
EMEC aims to have as many members as possible who can participate and has set a participation ceiling at €7,500 or approximately 150 tiles: 8,400 kW.
3. Who can participate?
The Marnis Bunde solar plant is located in postcode 6241 and according to the regulations, both individuals, businesses, and other organizations from the postcode areas below may participate.
Businesses and other organizations include:
- self-employed individuals and freelancers
- entrepreneurs, such as shop owners
- legal persons such as foundations, associations, partnerships, and limited liability companies
- community centers, youth and sports clubs
- local governments
- schools and universities
Participants must have their own small consumption connection (maximum 3x80A). This is always the case for households. Entrepreneurs can participate regardless of their own consumption. Even if you already have your own panels on your roof, you can become a member of the solar plant. Each connection can only participate once in a postcode roos project.
4. I already have solar panels, can I still participate?
Yes, you can participate in the central plant independently of your own panels up to a maximum of 150 tiles (see question 2).
5. I have wind shares, can I still participate?
Yes, you can participate in the central plant independently of your own panels up to a maximum (see question 2) of 150 tiles.
6. How does it work financially?
Participation in the solar plant is done by purchasing Tegelkes. Each Tegelke represents a value of €50. When participating, a minimum of 5 Tegelkes or €250 applies. Of course, higher amounts in multiples of €50 are possible, with a maximum amount of €25,000. The maximum investment is intended to give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate.
A Tegelke represents a share in the generation capacity of the installation. Each year, the yield of the installation is determined and EMEC pays out to the participants in proportion to the number of Tegelkes. The yield of the solar plant is the result of revenues (subsidies + electricity sales) minus costs (all operating costs + reservations).
7. Do I have to switch to another energy supplier?
No, you don't have to, but if you choose Greenchoice as your energy supplier and you indicate that you are a member of EMEC, Greenchoice will pay your membership fee (€24) per year.
8. Can I transfer my contribution?
You can transfer the remainder of your contribution, for example, if you move outside the municipality. However, you are obligated to first offer it to other members of the cooperative. The members then have two weeks to respond. If no one from the members wants to take over your solar shares, you are free to offer them to anyone within the postal code area, such as your neighbors or the new occupant of your house. This person will automatically become a member of EMEC.
9. How is the remainder of my contribution calculated?
Your contribution to EMEC is reduced by 1/15th each year. After 15 years, your contribution will be fully depreciated. In those 15 years, you are expected to receive a reduction in your energy bill greater than your original contribution: the yield.
Since a solar panel generates slightly more yield in the first years compared to the later years, EMEC prepares a schedule for each central unit of the expected transfer value of the contribution over the years. This is only a guideline and cannot be legally binding.
10. Will there be a waiting list?
EMEC will create a waiting list of people from the postal code area who are interested in participating in the solar plant and want to take over your remaining contribution.
11. How does the postal code regulation work?
The postal code regulation is a subsidy regulation (since 1-4-2021) and is officially called the Subsidy for Cooperative Energy Production (SCE). The government wants to give cooperatives the opportunity to realize solar roofs with members. For each generated kW, a subsidy amount is paid to the cooperative for 15 years. The cooperative pays a proportional amount to its members. Members must live in the postal code area where the central unit is located and all postal codes adjacent to the central unit's postal code. For the Marnis Bunde solar plant, this means:
Postal Code Region
6231 Meerssen
6235 Ulestraten
6237 Moorveld
6241 Bunde
6243 Geulle
And also:
6199 Maastricht Aachen Airport
6223 Borgharen, Itteren
6222 Meerssenhoven, Beatrixhaven, Limmel Nazareth