Using more of your own solar power: how it works

Self-consumption is the part of your solar power that you use at the moment it is generated, or later from a battery. The rest you export to the grid. How large your self-consumption is varies a lot per household: it depends on when you are at home and when you use electricity.

For net metering itself it makes little difference, up to and including 31 december 2026, whether you use solar power directly or export it first and take it back later. Financially, using it directly can already make a difference today, because many suppliers charge feed-in costs on the amount you export. From 1 januari 2027 self-consumption becomes more important still: you can no longer offset what you export and receive a feed-in compensation for it instead, while solar power you use yourself avoids buying electricity from the grid. Read more about the end of net metering.

• Shift use to sunny hours

  Run the washing machine, dryer or dishwasher while the sun is shining, using a delayed start if needed.

• Charge your car during the day

  If you have an electric car, charge it as much as possible while your panels are generating.

• Heat smartly

  A heat pump or electric hot water tank can shift part of your use to sunny hours, where the controls and your comfort allow it.

• Store electricity

  With a home battery you can use the daytime surplus yourself in the evening.