What’s changing: The net metering scheme—where kWh fed back into the grid are deducted from kWh consumed—is being phased out gradually for small-scale consumers (connection ≤ 3×80A). Once the phase-out is complete, you will only receive the market value at the time of feed-in for electricity fed back into the grid: typically 30–60% of the purchase price. The way to protect your business case is to maximize your self-consumption through battery storage.

How did net metering work, and why is it being phased out?

With net metering, the kilowatt-hours you feed back into the grid are deducted from the kilowatt-hours you consume. This means you only pay for the net balance. If you generate 10,000 kWh, consume 6,000 kWh yourself, and feed 4,000 kWh back into the grid, you only pay for any additional kWh you consume.

The advantage of net metering is that for every kWh you feed back into the grid, you effectively receive the full purchase price—including the grid operator’s fee. This makes no economic sense: the energy is still transported through the grid, but the costs associated with that are no longer borne by the producer. Policymakers have decided to correct this.

Phase-out schedule for net metering

Year Percentage of the purchase price you receive for selling back electricity
2023 100% (full offset)
2024 64%
2025 28%
2026 0% (market value only)

Please note: the exact schedule is subject to change due to political decisions. Always check the current regulations with RVO or your network operator.

What does this mean for your electricity bill?

Suppose you have a connection of ≤ 3×80A with 50 kWp of solar panels. You generate 45,000 kWh per year, consume 35,000 kWh yourself, and feed 10,000 kWh back into the grid. The purchase price is €0.25 per kWh (all-inclusive business rate). The market value for feed-in is €0.08 per kWh.

Situation Received for 10,000 kWh of feed-in Effective annual loss of savings
Full net metering (2023) 10,000 × €0.25 = €2,500 —
64% reimbursement (2024) 10,000 × €0.16 = €1,600 €900
28% reimbursement (2025) 10,000 × €0.07 = €700 €1.800
Market value only (2026) 10,000 × €0.08 = €800 €1.700

How do you defend the business case?

There are two ways to protect the business case for your solar panels despite the phase-out of net metering:

Method 1: Shift consumption to daylight hours (limited impact)

By programming equipment, machines, charging stations, and heating systems to operate during peak solar generation hours, you can increase direct self-consumption. This typically results in an additional 5–15 percentage points of self-consumption—a useful boost, but insufficient to fully offset the impact of the net metering phase-out.

Method 2: Battery storage (optimal protection)

A battery increases the self-consumption ratio from 30–45% to 75–90%. The 10,000 kWh that you used to feed back into the grid are now stored and consumed later. Every kWh you consume yourself replaces a purchased kWh—which is always worth the full purchase price, regardless of the feed-in tariff.

In practical terms: if you use a battery to convert 10,000 kWh of net metering into 9,000 kWh of additional self-consumption (10% charging losses), this results in 9,000 × €0.25 = €2,250 in additional savings—almost equal to the value of full net metering.

Is now the right time to buy a battery?

For small business customers who are still on the fence: yes, now is a good time. Here’s why:

  1. The EIA tax credit (40% additional deduction) is now available, and the terms and conditions are subject to change.
  2. Every month without a battery is a month in which you either feed electricity back into the grid at a lower rate or lose electricity due to a feed-in restriction.
  3. Battery prices are low, but there is no guarantee that they will continue to fall in the Dutch market—installation prices, on the other hand, are rising due to increasing demand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Net Metering and Battery Storage

Does the phase-out of net metering also apply to large commercial connections?

Large commercial connections (over 3×80A) have never been covered by the net metering scheme. They have been receiving a market-based feed-in tariff for years. The phase-out of net metering specifically affects small consumers and small business connections.

Can I calculate the exact financial impact of the balance reduction?

Yes, based on your production data, consumption data, and contract rates. Boltainer offers a free calculation that shows the impact and quantifies the business case for battery storage in your specific situation.

Is the battery investment solely for reducing the net energy balance, or are there other benefits?

Reducing net energy consumption is rarely the only business case. Peak shaving, energy arbitrage, congestion management, and emergency power are additional benefits that strengthen the overall business case. For most companies, reducing net energy consumption is just one of the reasons to invest now.

What if the net metering program isn't phased out after all?

There are always political uncertainties. But the business case for battery storage does not depend on the phase-out of net metering. Peak shaving and self-consumption alone are sufficient justification for the investment in most situations. The phase-out of net metering accelerates the ROI; it is not the only driver.