Solar Panels 2026: What Owners Need to Know

Solar panels in 2026 will bring several changes that owners need to consider. New rules, technologies, and smart meters make it important to be well prepared and to make the most of your solar energy.

Energy Act from 2026

A new Energy Act came into force on 1 January 2026, replacing the existing Electricity Act and Gas Act. This Act aims to make the electricity grid in the Netherlands smarter and more stable. It also gives grid operators better insight into the feed-in and consumption of solar panel owners. This allows for more efficient use of generated energy and enables everyone to contribute to a more sustainable and reliable energy grid.

Sharing electricity in the near future

The new Energy Act legally allows energy sharing. We will increasingly see residential areas and industrial estates where locally generated energy can be shared with neighbours, family, and other businesses. This encourages local sustainable consumption. The actual implementation will take several years, but the good news is that there is no longer a legal barrier.

Smart meters mandatory

From 2026, all analogue meters will be replaced by smart meters as part of the new Energy Act. These meters provide real-time insight into your energy consumption and feed-in. You can see exactly how much electricity you use and how much you feed back into the grid. If you still have an old meter, your network operator will send you a letter.

Last year of net metering

2026 is the final year in which you can fully offset your energy consumption. This means that until 31 December 2026, you can still offset the electricity you feed back into the grid against your consumption. From 2027, the net metering scheme will be discontinued. For solar panel owners, this is an important reason to start exploring ways to use as much of your generated electricity as possible, for example with a home battery or a smart energy management system.

Changes to the feed-in tariff

The tariff for electricity fed back into the grid is changing. In general, it will be lower, and there will also be feed-in costs, making it smarter to use the electricity you generate yourself. A home battery or smart energy management solution can help you maximize your own energy usage and reduce dependence on feed-in.

Zero export and energy management

To get the most out of your solar panels, investing in zero export and an energy management system is becoming increasingly attractive. This prevents electricity from being fed back into the grid and allows you to use all the energy you generate in your home. Several solutions are available for this purpose.

Technological developments

The technology around solar panels and energy storage is advancing rapidly. In 2026, we will increasingly see bidirectional charging stations and smart integration with heat pumps and home batteries. This will make your home smarter, more sustainable, and more independent.

Would you like to know how to make the most of your solar panels in 2026? Contact us, and we will be happy to help you.