Dutch solar owners told to rethink energy use as net metering end nears
As the Netherlands moves toward ending its net metering scheme on Jan. 1, 2027, energy experts and suppliers are advising households with solar panels to rethink how and when they use electricity, NU.nl reports. The policy change will reduce the financial benefit of sending excess power back to the grid and increase the importance of consuming solar energy directly in the home.
The shift means electricity drawn from the grid will be fully taxed and priced under standard retail conditions, while exported solar power will receive only limited compensation. Energy providers and analysts say the impact will be most visible in household routines and energy contract choices.
Michiel van der Linden of energy supplier Vandebron said the financial structure for solar owners will change sharply once net metering ends.
“Whoever has solar panels will pay more because the net metering scheme is disappearing. You will therefore pay energy tax and VAT on all electricity you consume. But someone without solar panels will generally have a higher annual bill than customers with panels. The advantage does not disappear, but it becomes smaller than it is now.”
Experts say the main adjustment for households is aligning electricity use with peak solar production. Dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and water heaters should be scheduled during sunny periods, while electric vehicle charging is most cost-effective around midday.
Because many households are not home during the day, experts say automation tools such as timers, smart plugs, and programmable charging systems will become increasingly important.
The guiding principle is direct: every kilowatt-hour used immediately from rooftop panels reduces the need to purchase electricity from the grid.
Once net metering ends, exporting electricity becomes significantly less profitable. While suppliers must still offer at least half the wholesale electricity price under fixed and variable contracts through 2030, feed-in charges can reduce net earnings to below 1 euro cent per kilowatt-hour.
Under dynamic contracts, export income will fluctuate more sharply and can turn negative on very sunny days when wholesale prices fall.
Experts warn that this does not mean solar systems should be shut off when prices drop below zero. Even in those moments, grid electricity remains more expensive due to taxes, fees, and VAT, meaning self-consumption can still be the better financial choice.
Experts also advise households to review how their solar systems are configured. Some inverters can be adjusted to reduce output when exporting becomes unprofitable, preventing unnecessary feed-in.
However, manual shutdown of systems using switches is discouraged because it can damage equipment. Only manufacturer-approved controls should be used, and improvised systems are considered risky.
More advanced setups can reduce production through software-based control, allowing output to be lowered gradually and safely.
Home batteries are being discussed as a way to store excess solar production for later use, increasing self-consumption and reducing reliance on grid pricing and export compensation.
Research cited by energy experts suggests a 5 kilowatt-hour battery may be a practical size for many households, although financial outcomes vary widely depending on usage and contract type.
Energy contract selection is expected to play a larger role after 2027. Fixed contracts provide stability but may include feed-in charges that reduce returns from exported electricity. Dynamic contracts can offer opportunities to benefit from price fluctuations but require active management of consumption and export timing.
Geert Wirken, director of comparison site Keuze.nl, said suitability depends heavily on household behavior. “Dynamic can be interesting if you can manage your electricity consumption, but it is not the best choice for everyone. Those who mainly want certainty may be better off with a fixed contract.”
After 2027, exporting electricity will generally become less attractive. Under fixed or variable contracts, suppliers must offer at least half the wholesale electricity price for exported power through 2030, but feed-in costs may significantly reduce returns.
Under dynamic contracts, prices fluctuate with market conditions. On very sunny days, wholesale electricity prices may drop to zero or become negative, meaning exporting electricity can yield little or even negative returns.
However, even when wholesale prices are slightly negative, drawing electricity from the grid remains more expensive due to taxes, purchase fees, and VAT. This creates a pricing mismatch in which self-consumption may still be economically preferable even during negative price periods.
