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How do we calculate your scenarios?

Simple explanation of our calculation methods

Transparency First

We calculate your energy costs for each scenario based on your annual production and consumption. Below we explain step by step how each scenario works.

Our Assumptions

Energy Prices (2026-2027)

  • Import price: €0.30/kWh (fixed contract, all-in)
  • Feed-in now: €0.10/kWh (with net metering you get the import price back)
  • Feed-in after 2027: €0.0025/kWh (fixed) or ~€0.05/kWh (dynamic)
  • Fixed costs: €450/year (grid + standing charges)

How We Calculate

We calculate every hour of the year (8,760 hours):

  • Your consumption per hour (NEDU profile or evenly distributed)
  • Your production per hour (KNMI solar data + your panels)
  • Per hour: production > consumption = export, consumption > production = import

Now: With net metering

What you export up to your consumption is credited at import price (€0.30/kWh). Extra export receives €0.10/kWh.

Calculation

Net consumption = Import - min(Export, Import)
Cost = Net consumption × €0.30 + Fixed costs
Extra export = max(0, Export - Import) × €0.10 (bonus)

Example

Suppose:

  • Consumption: 3,000 kWh/year
  • Production: 4,000 kWh/year
  • Import: 762 kWh, Export: 1,601 kWh

Calculation:

  • Net metering: 762 kWh import offset by 762 kWh export = €0
  • Extra export: (1,601 - 762) × €0.10 = €84 bonus
  • Fixed costs: €450
  • Total: €450 - €84 = €366/year

After 2027: Fixed contract (no net metering)

Without net metering, you pay €0.30/kWh for import and receive only €0.0025/kWh for export. This is the worst scenario for solar panel owners.

Calculation

Import cost = Import kWh × €0.30
Export credit = Export kWh × €0.0025 (almost nothing)
Total = Import cost - Export credit + €450 fixed costs

Why so little for export?

Energy suppliers charge 'feed-in costs' of ~€0.05-0.10/kWh. After deduction, only €0.0025/kWh net remains. That's why a fixed contract is unfavorable after 2027.

After 2027: Dynamic contract

With a dynamic contract, you pay the market price per hour. The big advantage: you also receive the market price for export (~€0.05/kWh average during solar hours). That's 20× more than fixed contracts!

Calculation

Import = Per hour: Import kWh × Market price (+ €0.12 markup)
Export = Per hour: Export kWh × Market price (no markup)
Total = Σ Import - Σ Export + €450 fixed costs

How do dynamic prices work?

  • We use real ENTSO-E market prices from the past year
  • Import: market price + €0.12 supplier costs
  • Export: only the market price (no costs)
  • Average export price: ~€0.05/kWh during solar hours

Extra savings through smart consumption

By running dishwasher, washing machine and EV during cheap hours you save extra:

  • Standard household: 15% of consumption is flexible. Savings: €20-50/year extra.
  • With EV or heat pump: 35% of consumption is flexible. Savings: €50-150/year extra.

Fixed contract + battery

With a battery, you increase self-consumption from ~30% to 60-80%. You import less and only export when the battery is full.

How the battery works

  1. Daytime: excess solar charges the battery
  2. Battery full? Rest goes to the grid (€0.0025/kWh)
  3. Evening: battery powers your home
  4. Battery empty? Then you import from grid

Calculation

Import × €0.30 - Export × €0.0025 + €450 fixed costs
Due to higher self-consumption, import is lower
Savings = reduced import cost + avoided low export revenue

Battery assumptions

  • Capacity: 10 kWh (8.5 kWh usable)
  • Efficiency: 90% (10% loss per cycle)
  • Self-consumption: from ~30% to 60-80%

Self-consumption calculation

Self-consumption = how much of your solar energy you use yourself. We simulate every hour of the year.

Self-consumption % = Self-used / Total production × 100

The simulation

  1. Each hour: production > consumption? Charge battery
  2. Battery full? Export to grid
  3. Consumption > production? Discharge battery
  4. Battery empty? Import from grid

We account for 10% loss per charge/discharge cycle

Example

Typical household with solar panels:

  • Production: 5,000 kWh/year
  • Consumption: 4,600 kWh/year
Without battery:
  • Self-consumption: 2,450 kWh (49%)
  • Export: 2,550 kWh
  • Import: 2,150 kWh

Cost: 2,150 × €0.30 - 2,550 × €0.0025 + €450 = €1,089/year

With 10 kWh battery:
  • Self-consumption: 3,500 kWh (70%)
  • Export: 1,500 kWh
  • Import: 1,100 kWh

Cost: 1,100 × €0.30 - 1,500 × €0.0025 + €450 = €776/year

Why does a battery help?

The battery stores excess solar energy during the day (when production peaks) for use in the evening (when consumption peaks). This reduces expensive imports from €0.30/kWh and avoids selling at the low €0.0025/kWh export rate.

Savings: €313/year

(€1,089 - €776 = €313 per year)

Dynamic contract + battery

Combines market prices with smart battery control. The battery charges during cheap hours and discharges during expensive hours.

Smart charging strategy

  1. First: charge from free solar energy
  2. Also: charge from grid at low prices
  3. Discharge during peak prices

Calculation

Import × hourly price - Export × market price + €450
Export is less (battery stores more)
Extra savings from price arbitrage (buy low, use when high)

Price arbitrage explained

With a dynamic contract, the battery can 'buy low, sell high'. This means:

  • 1. Charge when prices are low (often at night or solar peak hours)
  • 2. Discharge when prices are high (typically 17:00-21:00)
  • 3. After 10% battery losses, this is profitable when price difference > 15%

Note: the average export price with 'dynamic + battery' may be slightly lower than with 'dynamic only'. This is because the battery stores energy during the highest prices. Export only occurs when the battery is full, usually during the lowest price moments.

Our Data Sources

ENTSO-E: Real hourly market prices (European energy exchange) transparency.entsoe.eu
KNMI: Hourly solar irradiance per region knmi.nl
NEDU: Standard consumption profiles for Dutch households nedu.nl

Questions? Check our FAQ or contact us.

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Related information

Calculation Methodology - How Do Our Calculations Work? | SalderCheck