In the Netherlands, there is currently a scheme called the ‘Netting Scheme’, where households with solar panels have the opportunity to offset the electricity they return to the grid against the electricity they consume. This means you only pay for the net consumption. However, from 2023, the netting scheme will be phased out and replaced by the ‘Feed-in Subsidy’.

The feed-in subsidy is a new scheme where households receive compensation for the electricity they feed back into the grid. Unlike netting, where you can offset the returned electricity against your own consumption, with the feed-in subsidy, you receive financial compensation per kilowatt-hour for the electricity returned. This compensation is determined based on the average market price and the average cost price of solar panels.

With the transition to the feed-in subsidy, the compensation for returned electricity becomes more market-oriented. The goal is to maintain the incentive for solar energy while distributing costs more fairly between households with and without solar panels.

It is important to stay informed about the specific details and conditions of the feed-in subsidy, as these can vary. Households with solar panels are encouraged to seek information from local authorities, energy suppliers, or industry organizations to understand how the new scheme will impact their financial situation.