What is the EEG feed-in tariff in Germany 2026?

The EEG 2026 feed-in tariffs are approximately €0.081/kWh for systems ≤10kWp and €0.071/kWh for 10–40kWp, guaranteed for 20 years. The full feed-in option (Volleinspeisung) offers ~€0.127/kWh if no electricity is self-consumed.

What is the KfW 442 grant for solar?

KfW programme 442 provides up to €3,200 (and up to €10,200 total) for systems combining solar panels, home battery storage, and a bidirectional EV wallbox. Apply before installation through your bank. Cannot apply retroactively.

Do I pay VAT on solar panels in Germany?

Since January 2023, solar systems ≤30kWp installed on residential buildings are exempt from 19% MwSt (VAT). Income from feed-in tariffs for systems ≤30kWp is also exempt from Einkommensteuer (income tax) since 2023. This makes solar significantly more affordable and simpler to administer for homeowners.

🇩🇪 Solar Calculator Germany

Enter your monthly electricity bill and city — get solar system size, EEG feed-in income at €0.081/kWh, self-consumption savings, KfW 442 grant, 0% MwSt benefit, and payback period.

Your electricity details

Monthly electricity bill?

€EUR

City?

Roof orientation?

System size?

Add home battery?

Add EV wallbox (KfW 442)?

Solar system results — Germany

5 kWp system — EEG feed-in €81/MWh

Monthly kWh usage316 kWh/mo

Annual solar production4.380 kWh/yr

Self-consumption savings€499/yr

EEG feed-in income€248/yr

Total annual benefit€748/yr

MwSt on system0% (≤30kWp exempt)

System cost estimate€5.500 – €7.500

Total installed cost€6.500

Payback period8.7 years

25-year net savings€12.192

CO₂ saved per year1.664 kg CO₂

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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your monthly bill and city

Enter your average monthly electricity bill in Euro. The calculator uses a blended retail rate of €0.38/kWh to estimate your consumption. Select your city — Freiburg is Germany's sunniest location (3.5 PSH) while Hamburg receives the least solar radiation (2.8 PSH). Freiburg systems produce about 25% more electricity per kWp than Hamburg installations.

Set roof orientation and system size

Roof orientation significantly affects production. A south-facing roof at 30–35° tilt is optimal. East/West orientations produce about 85% of south-facing output but spread generation better through the day. Select system size in kWp based on your roof area and consumption — systems ≤30kWp have been exempt from Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt, 19% VAT) since January 2023, making smaller residential systems effectively 16% cheaper overnight.

Add battery and EV for KfW 442

Adding a home battery increases self-consumption from approximately 30% to 60% of solar production. Selecting both battery and EV wallbox unlocks the KfW programme 442 grant of up to €3,200 (Solarstrom für Elektroautos). This grant must be applied for before installation through your bank using the KfW online platform.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ €0.38/kWh (blended retail rate) Annual production = kWp × PSH × orientation factor × 365 × 0.80 efficiency Self-consumption = Annual kWh × 30% (no battery) or 60% (with battery) Self-consumption savings = Self-consumed kWh × €0.38/kWh retail EEG feed-in income = Exported kWh × €0.081/kWh (≤10kWp) or €0.071/kWh (10-40kWp) MwSt = 0% for ≤30kWp (since Jan 2023), else 19% KfW 442 = up to €3,200 for battery + wallbox + solar Payback = (System cost + battery - KfW grant) ÷ Annual benefit

The 80% system efficiency accounts for inverter losses (~4%), cable losses (~2%), soiling (~2%), and temperature derating (~4%). Germany's EEG (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz) feed-in tariff of €0.081/kWh for ≤10kWp applies for 20 years from commissioning. After 20 years, surplus electricity is sold at spot market prices. Note that EEG income is subject to Einkommensteuer (income tax) if total system output exceeds 30kWp or you have other business income from solar.

Example

Klaus — Munich detached home, 10kWp south-facing

Klaus pays €180/month for his detached home in Munich. He has a south-facing roof and installs a 10kWp system. No battery initially.

Monthly bill€180

City / PSHMunich, 3.3 PSH

OrientationSouth (100%)

System size10 kWp

BatteryNo

Result

Annual production~9,636 kWh/yr

Self-consumption (30%)~2,891 kWh/yr

Self-consumption savings~€1,099/yr

EEG feed-in income~€541/yr

Total annual benefit~€1,640/yr

System cost (0% MwSt)~€12,500

Payback~7.6 years

25-year net savings~€28,500

Adding a 12kWh home battery for ~€7,200 would increase self-consumption to 60% and annual benefit to ~€2,400, reducing payback to approximately 8.2 years total (battery included). With KfW 442 and a wallbox, the grant reduces upfront cost by €3,200.

FAQ

Is solar worth it in Germany? ▼

Yes. Germany's electricity prices of €0.35–0.42/kWh are among Europe's highest, making solar self-consumption very profitable. Typical 5–10kWp systems pay back in 7–10 years with 25-year panel lifespans. The 0% MwSt on ≤30kWp systems (since January 2023) reduced upfront costs by 19%. EEG feed-in tariffs provide additional guaranteed income for 20 years. Southern Germany (Munich, Freiburg, Stuttgart) offers the best economics with up to 1,200 kWh/kWp/year production.

What is the EEG feed-in tariff in 2026? ▼

The EEG (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz) 2023 feed-in tariffs for new systems in 2026 are approximately €0.081/kWh for systems ≤10kWp and €0.071/kWh for the portion between 10–40kWp. These rates are paid for 20 years from commissioning and are inflation-adjusted. Rates for new installations are revised quarterly. The full feed-in option (Volleinspeisung) at a higher rate (~€0.127/kWh) is available for systems not consuming any self-generated electricity.

What is the KfW 442 grant? ▼

KfW programme 442 (Solarstrom für Elektroautos) provides a non-repayable grant of up to €10,200 for systems that combine solar panels, a home battery storage system, and a bidirectional EV wallbox. The grant covers: €600/kWp solar (up to €1,800), €250/kWh battery (up to €3,000), and the wallbox. Apply through your bank before ordering equipment — you cannot apply retroactively. The grant is subject to availability of funds and program continuity.

Do I pay tax on solar income in Germany? ▼

Since January 2023, residential solar systems ≤30kWp are exempt from Einkommensteuer (income tax) on feed-in income — no tax declaration required for solar. Additionally, the 0% MwSt (VAT) rate applies to the purchase and installation. For systems between 30–100kWp, you may need to register as a Kleinunternehmer (small business) for tax purposes. Systems over 100kWp require full commercial tax treatment. This significant tax simplification in 2023 made solar much more accessible for German homeowners.

Which city in Germany gets the most solar energy? ▼

Freiburg im Breisgau (3.5 PSH) in Baden-Württemberg is Germany's sunniest city, generating ~1,100–1,200 kWh/kWp/year. Munich and Stuttgart (3.3 PSH) are close behind. Berlin and Frankfurt (3.0–3.2 PSH) are near the national average. Hamburg (2.8 PSH) receives the least solar radiation due to its northern latitude and cloudier maritime climate. Even Hamburg provides a viable 7–11 year payback due to high electricity prices.

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