Home battery or feed-in in 2025: which pays off more?
More and more households and businesses generate their own electricity with solar panels. But the question remains: what do you do with the power you don’t use immediately?
Until recently, feeding electricity back into the grid was usually the most profitable option thanks to the net-metering scheme. But in 2025, the landscape will change: the scheme is being phased out, and feed-in tariffs are under pressure. As a result, the home battery is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative.
Read also: Solar panel battery: smart storage for business energy use
Feeding electricity back to the grid in 2025: how does it work and what’s changing?
Households with solar panels often feed excess power back to the grid when generation exceeds consumption.
The net-metering scheme
Until now, homeowners could fully offset their fed-in electricity against their consumption — making solar power highly profitable.
However, in 2025 this will look different:
- The net-metering scheme will be further reduced, allowing you to offset a smaller portion of your fed-in electricity.
- For the part you can no longer offset, you’ll receive a feed-in compensation from your energy supplier.
- This compensation is usually low — often only €0.05 to €0.10 per kWh — making feed-in increasingly less attractive.
How does a home battery work in 2025, and what are the benefits?
A home battery stores the solar energy you generate so you can use it later — for example in the evening or on cloudy days.
Curious how much energy you produce and consume? With an energy management system (EMS), you gain real-time insight and can control your battery intelligently.
Read more: How an energy management system works with a home battery
Benefits of a home battery
- Higher self-consumption: use more of your own solar power instead of feeding it back.
- Energy independence: reduce dependence on rising prices and low feed-in tariffs.
- Prevent grid congestion: store excess production locally to reduce grid pressure.
- Future-proof: ideal in combination with EVs, heat pumps or smart energy management systems.
Drawbacks
- High purchase cost: a home battery costs between €4,000 and €10,000 depending on capacity.
- Payback period: typically between 8 and 12 years without subsidies.
- Limited storage: most batteries can store only a few days of household consumption.
Which is more profitable in 2025: home battery or feed-in?
Whether a home battery is more profitable than feed-in in 2025 depends on several factors:
1. Feed-in tariff
If your supplier pays only €0.05 per kWh for fed-in electricity while you pay €0.35 per kWh to consume it, self-storage quickly becomes more attractive.
2. Battery cost and lifespan
Battery prices have dropped in recent years and are expected to fall further in 2025. The cheaper the battery, the shorter the payback time.
3. Subsidies and incentives
There are local and national subsidy schemes — such as the ISDE subsidy — that make investment in energy storage more affordable.
4. Personal usage pattern
Households or businesses that consume more energy in the evening benefit more from storage than from feed-in.
Is a home battery worth it in 2025 — for you or your business?
Homeowners
Homeowners with solar panels will notice that feed-in is less profitable. For those who can use much of their power directly (for instance, with a heat pump or electric vehicle), a home battery can be financially appealing in 2025.
Businesses and institutions
Companies often face peak demand and higher tariffs. A battery can help lower costs and reduce capacity charges.
Businesses also play a role in relieving pressure on the overloaded electricity grid.
Discover more: Solar battery: smart storage for business energy use
Energy advisors and installers
For advisors, it’s essential to inform clients about the changing rules in 2025. As the net-metering scheme fades, energy storage becomes a key part of energy strategy.
Looking ahead to 2026
In 2026, the rules around solar energy and feed-in will tighten further. The net-metering scheme will continue to phase out, and more energy suppliers are expected to lower their feed-in rates.
At the same time, home batteries are becoming smarter, cheaper and increasingly supported by subsidies. Many systems now integrate with energy management software and can coordinate with electric vehicles and heat pumps.
For both households and businesses, the benefits of self-consumption and flexibility will only grow.
Those who invest in a home battery now will be ready to take full advantage in 2026 — and prepared for a future without full net-metering.
Read also: Home batteries, self-consumption and smart grid management
The smart choice in 2025: home battery or feed-in?
In 2025, feeding electricity back to the grid becomes less appealing due to the phase-out of net-metering and lower feed-in tariffs.
A home battery offers more control over your energy use and can be more profitable — especially when electricity prices are high and feed-in rates are low.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal situation: how much you generate, how much you use, and your willingness to invest in storage.
Tip: Consider combining a home battery with a smart energy management system to automatically balance generation, storage and consumption.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is a home battery profitable in 2025?
Yes, especially with low feed-in tariffs and high energy prices. Falling battery costs and available subsidies make it even more attractive.
How much does a home battery cost in 2025?
Between €4,000 and €10,000 depending on capacity and brand. Lifespan is typically 10 to 15 years.
What will happen to the net-metering scheme in 2025?
It will be further phased out, allowing you to offset less solar energy and increasing reliance on feed-in tariffs.
What is the payback time of a home battery?
Usually between 8 and 12 years. With subsidies or smart control, this can be shorter.
Are there subsidies for home batteries in 2025?
Yes. The ISDE subsidy can make investment in a home battery more affordable for both homeowners and businesses.
Is a home battery useful without net-metering?
Yes — in fact, once net-metering disappears, home batteries become even more valuable. You’ll use more of your own energy and depend less on low feed-in rates or grid restrictions.
How much energy can a home battery store?
Most home batteries have between 3 and 15 kWh capacity — enough to power an average household for several hours to a day. Larger systems are available for businesses.
Which home battery fits my solar system?
That depends on your usage, generation capacity and future plans (for example, an EV or heat pump). Batteries between 5 and 10 kWh are typically suitable for systems with 10–16 solar panels.