Net Metering 2027: What Does the End Mean for Your Solar Panels?
Dutch net metering ends on 1 January 2027. See what this means for your electricity costs and compare options for your household.
What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a subsidy scheme where the electricity you feed back to the grid is offset against the electricity you consume. In practice, this means your electricity meter 'runs backwards' when your solar panels generate more than you use. On your energy bill, you only pay for net consumption (consumption minus feed-in).
Example of a typical household
- •You have 10 solar panels of 400 Wp (4,000 Wp total)
- •You consume 3,500 kWh per year
- •Your panels produce 3,200 kWh per year
- •Result: You only pay for 300 kWh (3,500 - 3,200 = 300 kWh net consumption)
Net metering offsets imports against exports over the billing period. After the scheme ends, imports and exports are billed separately. The share of solar energy you use at home and the timing of grid imports then matter more.
Solar costs in 2027: a worked example for the Netherlands
An example household uses 3,500 kWh and generates 4,000 kWh a year. Illustrative rates are €0.30/kWh for imports and €0.01/kWh for exports, without net metering. These are calculation assumptions, not a current offer.
| Per year | 30% | 40% |
|---|---|---|
| Solar energy used at home (kWh) | 1,200 | 1,600 |
| Grid imports (kWh) | 2,300 | 1,900 |
| Grid exports (kWh) | 2,800 | 2,400 |
| Variable electricity cost | €662 | €546 |
At 30% self-consumption: 2,300 × €0.30 − 2,800 × €0.01 = €662 a year.
Using 400 kWh more solar energy at home lowers this example cost by €116 a year: 400 × (€0.30 − €0.01).
This is not a full energy bill: fixed charges, export fees, gas and investment costs are excluded. The change from 30% to 40% is illustrative, not a battery prediction. Dynamic-contract costs depend on the hour of import and export.
Calculate your own situationRead the calculation method and assumptionsNet Metering Ends in 2027
Net metering will stop completely on January 1, 2027. Until then, you can still fully net meter:
Full net metering possible (100%)
Last year of full net metering (100%)
Net metering stops completely (0%) - no gradual phase-out
Note: This policy changed in 2024. A previously planned gradual phase-out from 2025-2031 was replaced by an immediate stop on January 1, 2027.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl (updated September 2024)
Impact on Your Wallet
What does this mean concretely for your energy bill? Let's look at an average household with 10 solar panels:
✓Before 2027 (with net metering)
- Consumption: 3,500 kWh - Production: 3,200 kWh
- Net consumption: 300 kWh
- Variable costs: 300 kWh × €0.30 = €90
- Net fixed model amount including tax credit: −€50.92/year (2026 reference)
⚠After 2027 (fixed contract, without net metering)
- Import from grid: 2,380 kWh × €0.30 = €714
- Illustrative feed-in revenue: 2,080 kWh × €0.01 = €20.80
- Net fixed model amount: −€50.92 (2026 reference carried forward)
- Illustrative total: €714 − €20.80 − €50.92 = €642.28
Why is the feed-in tariff so low?
Our fixed/variable model assumes €0.01/kWh net export (€0.05 gross − €0.04 fee). This is a scenario, not a market average. Import and export rates can differ because:
- •Transport costs and taxes are not reimbursed for feed-in
- •Many households feed back simultaneously (sunny afternoons), reducing the value
- •Energy companies have no obligation to pay high prices for fed-back electricity
Your Options
Fortunately, you're not powerless. There are various strategies to minimize the impact of the end of net metering:
1. Increase Self-Consumption
By using more electricity when your panels are producing (during the day), you need to feed back less at the low tariff.
- ✓Run washing machine, dryer and dishwasher during the day
- ✓Charge electric car or e-bike between 11:00-15:00
- ✓Use a timer for energy-consuming appliances
2. Dynamic Energy Contract
With a dynamic contract, you pay a different price every hour, based on the actual market price. This can be advantageous for solar panel owners.
- ✓Buy electricity cheap (often at night or when windy)
- ✓Feed back during peak moments (higher compensation)
- ✓Average savings of €200-400 per year possible
3. Home Battery
A home battery stores excess solar energy for use in the evening and night.
- ✓Storage capacity of 5-15 kWh for evening use
- ⚠High purchase costs (€4,000-8,000)
- ⚠Payback period often 12-20 years
4. Do Nothing
Even without action, solar panels remain profitable. The payback period becomes longer, but you still save significantly on your energy bill compared to having no solar panels.
Solar panels remain a good investment, even after 2027.
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