Saving tips for solar panels and feed-in
By Laurens Arends · updated 05-10-2026
Shift your consumption to the sunny hours
Run the washing machine and dishwasher during the day instead of after dinner. For two washes per week we assume 104 cycles of 0,5 kWh, together 52 kWh per year. In 2026 this yields no extra electricity benefit because of net metering. You can, however, avoid up to 52 × € 0,13 = € 6,76 in feed-in charges, depending on your supplier's tariff band. From 2027 the maximum saving is 52 × (€ 0,24 - € 0,008) = € 12,06, provided all shifted washes run entirely on solar power that would otherwise have been fed back.
Compare the feed-in charges per supplier
In January 2026 the Consumentenbond calculates with an average of € 0,13 in feed-in charges per kWh. With 3.000 kWh that is 3.000 × € 0,13 = € 390 per year or € 32,50 per month. An energy supplier without feed-in charges therefore seems more advantageous, but also check the electricity rate, standing charge and any discounts or deals.
In other words, always look at the overall picture. Often a supplier is cheaper on one point but more expensive on another. In 2027 too, it is important to compare carefully based on your own consumption and generation data.
Run your boiler on solar power
With a theoretical COP of 3, heating a normal amount of water requires around 1.130 kWh of electricity per year. Standby losses and any electric legionella cycle come on top of that. If you can run 70 percent, rounded 790 kWh, on solar power during the day, you theoretically avoid up to € 103 in feed-in charges in 2026.
From 2027 the benefit compared with purchased grid electricity is about 790 × (€ 0,24 - € 0,008) = € 183. In this high-consumption scenario, the same amount of hot water with a boiler efficiency of 75 percent requires about 515 m³ of gas per year, worth around € 706. Purchase and maintenance of the boiler are not included.
Make use of net metering until 1 January 2027 and then consider a home battery
Indicative return: from 2027 around € 243 extra per year (favourable scenario).
Effort: medium
According to the Rijksoverheid you can, up to and including 31 December 2026, make use of net metering. With 3.500 kWh generated, the return after average feed-in charges is about € 522. From 2027, around € 272 of that remains without a battery.
If a suitable battery raises self-consumption from 30 to 60 percent, it yields about € 243 extra at 90 percent storage efficiency: 1.050 × € 0,24 minus 1.167 × € 0,008. Even so, buying a home battery is not a given, because the payback period is still very long. That is why it has to be assessed case by case whether buying a home battery is financially worthwhile or not.
Consider a dynamic contract with solar panels
Indicative feed-in return from 2027: about € 74 to € 147 per year with 2.450 kWh fed back.
Effort: medium
With a dynamic energy contract you receive the market price of the hour in question for what you feed back. The ACM sees that such contracts are becoming more attractive for solar panel owners because suppliers often charge few or no fixed feed-in charges.
At an average market value of € 0,03 to € 0,06, 2.450 kWh yields roughly € 74 to € 147 gross from 2027, before any selling fees and other supplier costs. With a smartly controlled home battery you can store cheap electricity and preferably use it yourself later. Feeding back purchased grid electricity is not automatically profitable, because energy tax, VAT, supplier costs, storage losses and battery wear reduce the trading margin.
Keep your panels clean and free of shade
Indicative yield gain: about € 17 to € 34 gross per year in 2026.
Effort: low
After the summer, check whether stubborn dirt or bird droppings are reducing the yield. The Consumentenbond estimates the yield loss from dirt on fairly flat panels at about 2 to 4 percent. Also remove overhanging branches when it is safe to do so. With 3.500 kWh, clean panels are worth an extra 70 to 140 kWh (in 2026 € 16,80 to € 33,60 gross).
From 2027, the same extra production at 30 percent direct consumption and € 0,008 net feed-in value is worth about € 5 to € 11. Tilted panels are usually rinsed clean enough by rain. So do not let professional cleaning cost more than the expected yield gain, and do not just climb onto the roof yourself.
Check your inverter from time to time
Indicative loss prevented: up to € 109 for one missed summer month in 2026.
Effort: low
Open your inverter's app briefly every month. According to Milieu Centraal about 13 percent of the annual yield is generated per month in May, June and July. With 3.500 kWh that is around 455 kWh.
If the inverter fails for a month during your summer holiday, in 2026 you miss out on 455 × € 0,24 = € 109 gross in electricity. From 2027 that month is worth about € 35 at 30 percent direct consumption. Have the installation checked if the yield drops by more than 10 percent without a clear weather-related cause. There are also inverters that automatically send a notification if there is a problem.
Let an energy manager control your appliances
An energy manager can switch on the boiler, charging point or other suitable appliances as soon as your solar panels produce enough electricity. According to RVO such a system can also take into account current prices, the load on your connection and faults.
If your direct self-consumption rises by 10 percentage points in a cautious calculation example, you use 350 kWh extra yourself with 3.500 kWh generated. In 2026 this lets you avoid up to 350 × € 0,13 = € 45,50 in feed-in charges. From 2027 the benefit is 350 × (€ 0,24 - € 0,008) = € 81,20. Do compare that amount with the purchase and subscription costs of smart home systems and energy managers.
Check your feed-in fee with every renewal
Indicative difference: about € 74 per year per 3 cents of rate difference.
Effort: low
Set a reminder one month before your energy contract ends. With 3.500 kWh generated and 30 percent direct consumption, you feed back about 2.450 kWh. A difference of € 0,03 per kWh is then 2.450 × € 0,03 = € 73,50 per year from 2027. Checking in time is important, because at a renewal the supplier may propose new consumption prices, feed-in charges and feed-in fees.
During the fixed term, however, an agreed feed-in fee may not simply be lowered. If your contract switches to variable rates after the end date, the supplier must announce a change at least one month in advance. From the end date you can switch without a cancellation fee. The notice period is at most one month. If you leave a fixed contract early, a cancellation fee may apply.
Charge your electric car during the sunny hours
Charge your car during the day when the solar panels are actually producing electricity. According to Milieu Centraal, smart charging can increase direct self-consumption by about 20 percentage points. With 3.500 kWh generated, that is around 700 kWh. In 2026 this yields no extra electricity benefit because of net metering, but you do avoid up to 700 × € 0,13 = € 91 in feed-in charges.
From 2027 the benefit is about 700 × (€ 0,24 - € 0,008) = € 162,40. Preferably use a charging point that responds to the actual solar surplus. After all, an ordinary timer also keeps charging when clouds move in front of the sun.