Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about net metering and your solar panel savings
About Net Metering
Net metering (salderingsregeling) is a scheme where electricity you feed back to the grid is offset against your consumption at the same rate. This scheme will end completely on January 1, 2027. From that date, you will only receive a low feed-in tariff (around €0.05/kWh) for all electricity you export to the grid, which is much lower than the price you pay for electricity from the grid.
The impact depends on several factors: the number of solar panels you have, your consumption pattern, and the type of energy contract you choose. In general, your energy bill will increase because you will be paid less for the electricity you feed back to the grid. Our calculator shows you exactly what this means for your situation, taking into account your specific solar panel setup and consumption profile.
There are several strategies: 1) Increase self-consumption by shifting energy use to sunny hours, 2) Consider a battery to store excess solar power, 3) Switch to a dynamic energy contract to benefit from favorable rates, 4) Invest in energy-saving measures to reduce your total consumption. Our calculator helps you understand which option is most cost-effective for your situation.
About the Calculator
Our calculations are based on official data sources: KNMI for solar irradiance, NEDU for standard consumption profiles, and ENTSO-E for electricity prices. We use realistic assumptions for system efficiency and future price developments. However, please note that actual results may vary depending on weather conditions, your actual consumption behavior, and market developments. Our estimates provide a good indication, but come with uncertainty ranges.
We use: KNMI weather data for solar production estimates based on your location, NEDU standard consumption profiles to create an hourly consumption pattern, historical ENTSO-E price data to calculate scenarios with dynamic contracts, and current average electricity rates from Dutch energy suppliers. All data sources are publicly available and regularly updated.
For our calculations, your current contract type doesn't matter - we calculate based on standard rates and show you what different scenarios will cost you in the future. This gives you a fair comparison without being influenced by possibly favorable or unfavorable conditions in your current contract. You can then use this information to make the best choice for your specific situation.
About Batteries and Solutions
This depends on your situation. A battery is most worthwhile if: you have significant solar power surplus during the day, you have high evening consumption, and you can shift little consumption to daylight hours. However, batteries are currently still relatively expensive (€500-700 per kWh capacity), and the payback period is often 12-20 years. Our calculator shows you exactly what a battery would save you and how long the payback period would be for your situation.
With a dynamic contract, you pay the hourly spot price for electricity instead of a fixed rate. This allows you to benefit from low prices (often at night and during sunny, windy days) and avoid high prices. For solar panel owners, this can be attractive because you can optimize your consumption and feed-in. However, it requires more active management and comes with some price uncertainty. Compare all providers to find the best dynamic contract for your situation.
This is highly personal and depends on your consumption pattern, the size of your solar panel installation, and your willingness to actively manage your energy consumption. Our calculator analyzes your specific situation and provides a tailored recommendation. In general, we see that: for small installations (<10 panels) often only shifting consumption helps, for medium installations (10-20 panels) a dynamic contract is often most cost-effective, and for large installations (>20 panels) a combination of battery and dynamic contract can be worthwhile.
Calculate Your Situation
Discover in 2 minutes what the phase-out of net metering means for your specific situation.
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