Subsidies for solar panels

The cost of solar panels can be substantial. If this stops you from purchasing solar panels for your home, subsidies and other financing options for solar panels are available to reduce the costs. Read more about these subsidy and financing options below.

Subsidy options for solar panels

In the Netherlands, solar panels are considered an important contribution to sustainable energy production, and the government has set up various subsidy schemes and financial incentives to encourage households to install solar panels. These subsidies are designed to reduce costs and promote the use of green energy. Here are some key options for solar panel subsidies in the Netherlands:

1. Investeringssubsidie Duurzame Energie (ISDE): The ISDE subsidy is available for individuals investing in sustainable energy solutions, including solar panels. This subsidy helps reduce the cost of the initial investment.
2. Saldering voor Home Energy Saving (SEEH): This subsidy is aimed at saving energy in homes, including installing solar panels. Although this subsidy is primarily aimed at energy-saving measures, installing solar panels can help eligible order certain conditions.
3. VAT refund: Homeowners who purchase and install solar panels can reclaim the VAT on the purchase and installation.
4. Saldering scheme: Although not a traditional subsidy, the balancing scheme is an important incentive for homeowners to install solar panels. It allows net energy delivered back to the grid to be offset against energy you buy. This scheme will be phased out from 2023 and replaced by a feed-in tariff.
5. Local and provincial subsidies: Some municipalities and provinces offer additional subsidies or loans to support renewable energy projects, including solar panels. These subsidies depend on location and available budget.

Qualifications for subsidies

Subsidies for solar panels can vary depending on the country, region, and specific program. In the Netherlands, there are specific qualification guidelines:

Private households

• Private homeowners are often eligible for subsidies for solar panels
• This applies to people who own their homes and want to equip them with sustainable energy systems

Business users

• Companies, institutions, and other business users may also be eligible for subsidies for solar panels
• This can range from small businesses to large commercial enterprises

Criteria and conditions

The details of the subsidy and conditions can vary depending on factors such as:

• The size of the solar panel system
• The efficiency of the panels
• The specific type of solar technology used
• Only specific types of solar panels, inverters, or other technologies may be eligible
• Some subsidies may target specific project types like construction projects

Income limits

• Some subsidies may have income limits to ensure financial support reaches those who need it most
• Grant schemes may offer more support to low-income households to help cover the cost of renewable energy solutions

Residence or location

• The availability of subsidy can depend on region or municipality
• Some regions may have specific incentives to promote renewable energy