End of the net metering scheme 2027: what you need to do now

Key takeaways

• The net metering scheme (salderingsregeling) ends definitively on 1 January 2027 -- no gradual phase-out, no transition period
• The value of exported power drops from ~25 ct/kWh (full net metering) to roughly 7-8 ct/kWh ("fair compensation")
• For an average household with solar panels, this means an annual loss of 700 to 800 euros
• You still have just over half a year to prepare -- and there are concrete steps you can take right now
• This article goes deeper than the video: legal background, full timeline and worked-out scenarios

22 years of net metering: the full timeline

To understand why the end of the net metering scheme has such a big impact, you need to know how we got here. It is a story of 22 years of political tug-of-war, and it ends more abruptly than anyone expected.

Below is the full timeline, year by year.

Net metering timeline: 2004-2027

Pre-2004 -- The informal early years Before there was even a law, analogue meters in households with solar panels simply ran backwards on their own. This was not a deliberate government choice -- it was a technical side effect. The meter simply could not tell the difference between power you consumed and power you fed back. Nobody needed rules, because the technology sorted it out by itself.

2004 -- Net metering becomes law On 1 July 2004, net metering was officially enshrined in the Electricity Act 1998 (Elektriciteitswet 1998). The government formalised what was already happening in practice, with a clear rationale: solar panels needed to become more attractive for households. There was a limit of 3,000 kWh per year. That was more than enough for the small installations of the time.

2008 -- Limit raised to 5,000 kWh With better and cheaper panels, installations grew. The government raised the net metering limit to 5,000 kWh per year. The message was clear: we want more solar panels on more roofs.

2013 -- Limit removed entirely This was the tipping point. From 2013 onward, you could offset an unlimited amount. It did not matter whether you fed back 3,000 or 30,000 kWh -- everything was offset one-for-one. Investors, property developers and households seized their chance. The Netherlands became a solar power champion.

2013-2019 -- The golden years The Netherlands grew into the country with the most solar panels per capita after Australia. Millions of households invested, often with the explicit promise from sellers and the government that the net metering scheme would stay in place for years to come. But there was a structural flaw in the system. The costs of net metering were not borne by the government or by energy companies -- they were spread across all households. Including households without panels. Tenants, people in apartments, families who could not afford the investment: they all paid towards the benefit of panel owners.

2019 -- Minister Wiebes presents phase-out plan Minister Wiebes came up with a concrete proposal: a gradual reduction of the net metering value. Each year, a percentage of the feed-in compensation would be phased out, until it reached zero in 2031. Households would have seven years to adapt. It sounded reasonable.

2020-2022 -- Political quagmire Wiebes' plan did not make it through the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) in the intended form. Political changes, the COVID crisis, the energy crisis -- the phase-out kept getting pushed back. Every government had its own variant; none survived the parliamentary process.

2023 -- House of Representatives votes for abolition After years of delay, the House of Representatives finally voted in favour of bill 35594: full abolition of the net metering scheme by 2025, later adjusted to 2027. The bill moved on to the Senate (Eerste Kamer).

17 December 2024 -- The Senate decides On 17 December 2024, the Senate voted. No gradual phase-out until 2031. No seven-year transition period. As of 1 January 2027, the net metering scheme ends completely. This is a fundamentally different decision from what had been in the air for years. Instead of a soft landing, solar panel owners got a hard deadline.

1 January 2027 -- End of net metering From this date, every kilowatt-hour you export is worth a fraction of what you used to get. The "fair compensation" (redelijke vergoeding) takes effect. A new era for everyone with solar panels.

At the time you are reading this, that is just over half a year away.

What actually changes?

Until the end of 2026: full net metering

Right now, in 2026, it still works like this: every kilowatt-hour you export to the grid can be offset against a kilowatt-hour you consume. If you export 10 kWh during the day and use 10 kWh in the evening, you pay nothing for that power. Your exported kWh is worth exactly as much as your imported kWh.

That is the principle on which millions of Dutch households recouped their solar panel investment. And it is the principle that ends on 1 January 2027.

From 1 January 2027: the "fair compensation"

From 2027, every exported kilowatt-hour is worth a fraction of what you used to get. The law requires energy suppliers to pay a "fair compensation" (redelijke vergoeding) for exported power. Until the end of 2030, a statutory minimum applies: at least 50% of the bare wholesale price, excluding taxes and VAT.

But what does that mean in practice?

The bare wholesale price of electricity -- the wholesale price, without energy tax, ODE surcharge and VAT -- fluctuates roughly between 8 and 15 cents per kWh. Fifty percent of that works out to 4 to 8 cents per kWh. That is what you can realistically expect as feed-in compensation.

Compare that with the price you pay when you consume power from the grid: an average of 25 to 30 cents per kWh, including all taxes. The difference is enormous: every kWh you export is suddenly 17 to 22 cents less valuable than the same kWh you would use yourself.

After 2030: no statutory minimum

And it potentially gets worse. After 2030, the statutory floor of 50% expires. Energy suppliers are then free to pay whatever they like for exported power. That could be 5 cents, but also 2 cents or less. There is simply no guarantee any more.

"Fair compensation": what the law actually says

This is a point that most articles and videos gloss over, but it is crucial for your financial planning. The legal reality is more complex than "you'll get less" and deserves a thorough analysis.

The legal text dissected

The term "fair compensation" (redelijke vergoeding) in the Electricity Act has been deliberately kept vague. The legislator did not set a fixed amount or percentage, apart from the temporary minimum of 50% of the bare supply price until 2030. The Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) has been designated as supervisor, but has limited powers to enforce an exact tariff.

What the law does say: energy suppliers may not refuse to accept power from small consumers with solar panels. They must pay a compensation. But the definition of "fair" has been left to the market, with the ACM as referee if things get out of hand.

In practice, this means suppliers have a lot of room to set their own tariff structure. And they are using that room -- already.

What are the major suppliers offering now?

Although the net metering scheme does not end until 2027, the major energy suppliers are already publishing their plans for the feed-in compensation. This gives a preview of what you can expect.

Eneco uses a feed-in tariff linked to the EPEX spot price. In practice, this works out to 6 to 9 cents per kWh, depending on the time of export. On top of that, Eneco charges feed-in costs of 1.5 to 2 cents per kWh. Net, you receive 4 to 7 cents.

Vattenfall has announced a similar model. Their feed-in tariff is around 7 cents per kWh on a fixed contract, but they also offer a dynamic variant where the compensation moves with the hourly price. Feed-in costs: approximately 1 cent per kWh. Net, you receive 6 to 8 cents on a fixed contract.

Essent opts for a slightly higher base compensation of 7 to 10 cents per kWh, but offsets this with higher fixed supply charges in their contracts. They do not charge separate feed-in costs but factor it into the total contract price. The net effect is comparable.

Dynamic suppliers such as Tibber, Frank Energie and ANWB Energie pay the live hourly price minus a small margin. On sunny afternoons, the compensation can be extremely low (2-4 cents), but during the evening peak considerably higher (15-25 cents). Averaged over the year, this comes to 6 to 10 cents per kWh.

The pattern is clear: regardless of your supplier, you can count on a net compensation of 4 to 10 cents per kWh. Compare that with the 25 to 30 cents you currently receive effectively through net metering.

Feed-in costs: the hidden expense

I want to dwell on this, because this is the factor that is forgotten in virtually every calculation about the end of net metering. And it makes the difference bigger than you think.

What are feed-in costs?

Feed-in costs (terugleverkosten) are a charge your energy supplier bills you for every kilowatt-hour you export to the grid. You read that correctly: you pay to be allowed to export power. It sounds absurd, but there is a logic behind it.

Energy suppliers must trade exported power on the wholesale market. That costs them administration, balancing and trading fees. They pass those costs on to you as an exporting customer. In 2026, this ranged from 0 to 3 cents per kWh, but several market analysts expect it to rise to 3 to 9 cents per kWh after the abolition of net metering.

Costs by supplier

What does this mean for your net compensation?

Let's work through a realistic example. Suppose after 2027 you receive a gross feed-in compensation of 7 cents per kWh. Your supplier charges 3 cents in feed-in costs. Then your net compensation is:

7 - 3 = 4 cents per kWh net

For power that you buy back from the grid as a consumer at 25 cents per kWh. The difference is 21 cents per kilowatt-hour. Every kWh you export instead of using yourself effectively costs you 21 cents.

In the worst-case scenario -- a low compensation of 5 cents and high feed-in costs of 5 cents -- you receive zero net. You are giving away power. For free. And you paid thousands of euros in panels for it.

Three household scenarios worked out

The average household does not exist. That is why I work through three realistic scenarios below, from small to large, so you can see what the end of net metering concretely means for your situation.

Assumptions for all scenarios

• Electricity purchase price: 25 ct/kWh (including taxes)
• Feed-in compensation after 2027: 7 ct/kWh gross
• Feed-in costs after 2027: 2 ct/kWh
• Net feed-in compensation: 5 ct/kWh
• Direct self-consumption without battery: 30% of generation

Scenario A: Small household

Imagine: an apartment or small terraced house. Two occupants, low consumption, 8 panels on the roof.

With net metering (2026): You offset 1,750 kWh. Value: 1,750 x 0.25 = EUR 437.50 per year. Your electricity bill is effectively zero or slightly positive.

Without net metering (2027+):

• Gross compensation: 1,750 x 0.07 = EUR 122.50
• Feed-in costs: 1,750 x 0.02 = EUR 35
• Net received: EUR 87.50
• Electricity you still need to buy: (2,500 - 750) = 1,750 kWh x 0.25 = EUR 437.50
• Net electricity costs: 437.50 - 87.50 = EUR 350 per year

Scenario B: Average family

Imagine: a mid-terrace house. Two adults, two children. 14 panels, average consumption.

With net metering (2026): You offset 3,500 kWh. Value: 3,500 x 0.25 = EUR 875 per year. With 5,000 kWh generation and 4,000 kWh consumption, you net-export 1,000 kWh more than you consume. You effectively receive money back.

Without net metering (2027+):

• Gross compensation: 3,500 x 0.07 = EUR 245
• Feed-in costs: 3,500 x 0.02 = EUR 70
• Net received: EUR 175
• Electricity you still need to buy: (4,000 - 1,500) = 2,500 kWh x 0.25 = EUR 625
• Net electricity costs: 625 - 175 = EUR 450 per year

That is over EUR 60 per month more in energy costs. Over ten years: EUR 7,500.

Scenario C: Large household with electric vehicle

Imagine: a detached house. A family with high consumption plus an electric car that charges at home. 20 panels, substantial generation.

With net metering (2026): You offset 5,600 kWh. Value: 5,600 x 0.25 = EUR 1,400 per year. With 8,000 kWh generation and 7,000 kWh consumption, you have more than enough to cover your entire consumption including the car.

Without net metering (2027+):

• Gross compensation: 5,600 x 0.07 = EUR 392
• Feed-in costs: 5,600 x 0.02 = EUR 112
• Net received: EUR 280
• Electricity you still need to buy: (7,000 - 2,400) = 4,600 kWh x 0.25 = EUR 1,150
• Net electricity costs: 1,150 - 280 = EUR 870 per year

Over ten years: more than EUR 11,000 difference. And this is the scenario where a home battery plus smart EV charging has the biggest effect, because there is a huge surplus to store or deploy smartly.

Summary table: all scenarios

The conclusion is unavoidable: the more panels you have and the more you export, the harder the end of net metering hits you. But even with a small installation, you are looking at hundreds of euros per year.

What can you do now?

The good news: you still have half a year, and there are concrete steps you can take right away. Some cost nothing; others require an investment but pay for themselves.

1. Increase your self-consumption (free)

The cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one you use yourself instead of exporting. In 2027, every kWh you consume yourself will be 17 to 22 cents more valuable than a kWh you export.

Concrete actions:

• Run the washing machine and dryer during the day. Programme them with a timer or start them before you leave the house. Many modern machines have a delayed-start feature.
• Run the dishwasher after lunch. Instead of in the evening after dinner.
• Charge your electric car during the day. If you work from home or have a charging station, schedule charging between 10:00 and 15:00.
• Heat the boiler during the day. A hot-water boiler with a timer switch can absorb your solar power during the day instead of using expensive grid power at night.
• Run the air conditioning or heat pump during the day. Cool or heat your home while the sun is shining and the power is free.

With just these adjustments, you can raise your self-consumption from 30% to 45-50%. That saves you 200 to 300 euros per year after 2027 right away.

2. Home battery: store your surplus power

Once you have maxed out your self-consumption with smart scheduling, there is still surplus left over. A home battery captures that. You store during the day what you need in the evening.

With a 5 kWh home battery, you raise your self-consumption to 60-70%. A 10 kWh battery brings you to 65-75%. The difference between 5 and 10 kWh is surprisingly small for most households -- read my article about the right battery size for the details.

The annual saving after the abolition of net metering: EUR 400 to 700 per year, depending on your consumption pattern and battery size. With an investment of EUR 3,000 to 6,000 for a 5 kWh system, the payback period is 4 to 8 years.

Important: is a home battery worth it in 2026? Read the full analysis with three worked-out scenarios and a step-by-step ROI calculation.

3. Dynamic energy contract: earn from price differences

With a dynamic energy contract, you pay the hourly price on the energy market. That price fluctuates heavily: sometimes 5 cents per kWh, sometimes 40 cents, sometimes even negative (you get paid to use power).

In combination with a home battery or smart consumption, you can structurally benefit from this:

• Charge when power is cheap (early morning, sunny afternoons)
• Discharge or consume when power is expensive (morning peak, evening peak)

A dynamic contract with a home battery typically delivers EUR 300 to 500 in extra savings per year on top of the self-consumption savings.

Note: a dynamic contract without a battery or without smart scheduling can also turn out more expensive. You need to be willing to adapt your consumption to the price, either manually or via a smart energy manager such as Home Assistant or Homey.

4. Heat pump: convert solar power into heat

A heat pump is a way to convert surplus solar power into something you need anyway: heat. Instead of exporting power for 5-7 cents, you use it to heat your home (or cool it in summer).

A heat pump runs most efficiently during the day, precisely when your solar panels produce the most. The combination is ideal, but it is a larger investment (EUR 6,000 to 15,000 including installation) with a longer payback period.

If you were already planning to move away from gas, the business case after 2027 becomes significantly stronger. You are not just replacing gas with electricity -- you are using your own free solar power instead of expensive grid power.

Your action timeline: what to do when

Timing is everything. Below is a concrete quarterly plan to be prepared by 1 January 2027.

Q3 2026 (July - September): Research and orientation

This is the time to gather information. Not to wait.

• Analyse your consumption data. Read out your smart meter via your supplier or via apps like Homewizard or P1 Monitor. How much do you consume, when, and how much do you export?
• Calculate your scenario. Use the three household scenarios above to estimate what the end of net metering will cost you.
• Request at least three quotes for a home battery. Compare not only on price, but also on capacity, warranty, installation time and smart energy management.
• Research dynamic contracts. Compare Tibber, Frank Energie, ANWB Energie and Zonneplan on tariffs, feed-in costs and app functionality.
• Read your current energy contract. Check the notice period, any penalties for switching mid-contract, and what your supplier communicates about feed-in compensation after 2027.

Q4 2026 (October - December): Decide and order

Now is the time to act. Waiting beyond this point is a risk.

• Order your home battery. Lead times increase in Q4. If you order in October, you can be installed by November-December. If you order in December, you won't be running until February-March 2027.
• Switch to a dynamic contract if you have not done so already. Switching is possible with most providers within two weeks.
• Schedule your installation. Make a concrete appointment with your installer. An "I'll call you when the time comes" is not enough -- claim a date.
• Optimise your consumption pattern. Start shifting major appliances to daytime now. Get used to it before it becomes financially necessary.

Q1 2027 (January - March): Installation and fine-tuning

• Home battery installation if it has not been placed yet.
• Configure smart energy management. Set your battery to automatic price optimisation if you have a dynamic contract.
• Monitor your first month. Compare your actual costs with your old situation. Adjust where needed.

Why waiting costs money

This is not a marketing trick. Installation capacity in the Netherlands is limited. There are a limited number of certified installers who are allowed to install home batteries, and their schedules fill up. In the run-up to previous deadlines (think of the VAT increase on solar panels in 2024), waiting times ran up to three to four months.

The same dynamic is repeating now. Every month you wait:

• Lead times increase. From weeks to months.
• Prices rise. Higher demand with the same supply means higher prices. Installers can pick and choose, and they choose the customers who pay the most.
• You miss out on savings. Every month in 2027 without a battery or dynamic contract costs you EUR 50 to 100 in missed savings, depending on your situation.

Summary: your 2026 action plan

The full explanation on video

This article goes deeper into the legal background, timeline and calculation models than fits in a video. Want the story in a more compact format, with visuals and practical examples? Watch the video on ThuisbatterijNederland:

End of the net metering scheme 2027: what you need to do now

Related articles

• Is a home battery worth it in 2026? The honest answer -- Full ROI calculation with three scenarios
• Home battery too large? The honest explanation -- Why a 10 kWh battery barely yields more than 5 kWh
• Home batteries from China and AliExpress -- Cheap alternatives and what to watch out for

Sources

• Rijksoverheid -- Net metering scheme for solar panels
• Eerste Kamer -- Vote on abolition of net metering (17 December 2024)
• Milieu Centraal -- Net metering for solar panels
• Milieu Centraal -- Average energy consumption
• ACM -- Fair compensation for exported electricity
• Solar365 -- Feed-in compensation after net metering
• CBS -- Renewable energy in the Netherlands
• Tibber -- Dynamic energy tariffs
• Frank Energie -- Hourly prices