Netherlands to end solar net metering in 2027

The Netherlands is set to phase out the net metering scheme (salderingsregeling) for solar panel owners on January 1, 2027. Under the current system, households can offset the electricity they feed back into the grid during summer against the electricity they consume in winter, effectively avoiding taxes on the net amount used. After the change, users will pay full rates for consumed electricity, while receiving a feed-in compensation for surplus energy. This compensation is expected to be at least 50 percent of the base delivery rate until 2030.

Research by Berenschot, commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, highlights the impact of upcoming time-of-use grid tariffs. This new system will feature four price levels and five time blocks, charging more during peak hours and less during quiet periods. The study indicates that solar panel owners can benefit from these variable rates, especially when using smart management systems to align consumption with production.

Additionally, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will influence grid costs. Charging via an 11 kW home charging point can lead to approximately 221 euros in annual grid costs, whereas charging via a standard 2.3 kW socket costs about 197 euros. However, using smart charging to align with cheaper time blocks can reduce these extra costs significantly, saving up to 76 euros annually for 11 kW chargers.