Dutch solar net-metering ends in 2027, but home batteries may not pay off

Until 31 December 2026, households can offset electricity they send to the grid against electricity they buy, reducing their bills. From 1 January 2027, they can still export surplus power, but will no longer be able to offset it in this way.

Instead, the payment for exported renewable electricity must be at least 50% of the agreed electricity supply price before VAT and energy tax. That minimum applies until 1 January 2030. Suppliers can also charge reasonable export fees, so the minimum payment does not guarantee a positive return after costs.

A home battery can store solar electricity for use later, reducing the amount a household needs to buy from the grid. Nieuws.nl reports that interest in batteries has risen sharply, but gives no figures for enquiries, purchase intentions or installations.

Environmental information organisation Milieu Centraal says home batteries are expensive and it is uncertain whether owners will recover their cost. It does not currently recommend them. The organisation says storage can help ease pressure on the grid, but a battery cannot hold all the surplus generated on sunny summer days and may not cover a household’s needs in winter.

One alternative is to use more solar electricity as it is generated, for example by running a washing machine or dishwasher during the day. The Dutch government says electricity generated and used directly is not subject to energy tax or supplier charges.

Dutch consumer and fraud organisations have also warned about misleading home battery sales pitches, including promises that a battery will quickly pay for itself.