Don't worry about unattractive panels, as nowadays there are various sizes and color available. Install all panels either horizontally or vertically, not mixed, and place them symmetrically. This will make your roof look more orderly, and the panels will be less noticeable. Use dummy panels to fill corners and gaps around chimneys and dormer windows.
"}},{"componentType":"promotionalBanner","icon":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/bc98b812-1d22-4f9a-8c54-0a560ae59f41/Circle-Keys-9","type":"image","width":64,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/de63ea5d47373bc/original/Circle-Keys-9.svg","extension":"svg"},"body":"Discover the costs and benefits of making your home more energy efficient.","date":{},"textLink":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/upgrade-check","text":"Start the Upgrade Check"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Frequently asked questions"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"How many solar panels do I need on my house and what do they cost?","richBody":{"value":"How many solar panels you need depends on your power consumption. For most people, this will increase in the coming years due to induction cooking, electric cars and heat pumps. The number of solar panels that can fit on your roof depends on the available space, slope and direction.
A certified installer can calculate this precisely for your situation.
Cost of solar panels
Some examples of the average purchase costs according to Milieu Centraal:
Always needed: solar panel inverter
Whether you have 2 or 20 solar panels installed on your roof, your installer will always install an inverter. Why?
Your solar panels generate electricity immediately
Your home appliances use alternating current
An inverter converts direct current into alternating current
Is it dark outside? Then your solar panels do not generate anything and you use the power from your energy supplier to watch TV, for example.
Is the sun shining? Then you often don't need all the generated solar power immediately. You feed the excess back to the electricity grid.
Important: without a battery you cannot save solar power for a later time.
Net metering (salderingsregeling): this is how it works
In short: you will receive compensation for the power surplus that you return to the electricity grid in a consumption year. We call this netting (salderen). This will reduce your energy costs considerably. However, the cabinet wants to abolish the netting scheme in one go from 2027. This is stated in the main agreement that they have concluded. The details for this still need to be worked out.
Important: After installation, do not forget to register your solar panels on energieleveren.nl (or ask your installer). Only in this way your returned electricity can be registered and settled. Furthermore, the netting scheme will end on January 1, 2027 if it is up to the cabinet.
"}},{"title":"Is there a subsidy on solar panels?","richBody":{"value":"From 2023, you will no longer pay VAT for solar panels and their installation. This saves 21% on your costs. Depending on where you live, there may also be regional regulations.
Have you decided to order solar panels and have them installed? Then 0% VAT is charged. You cannot reclaim VAT from the Tax Authorities. There are some exceptions to this.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/zakelijk/btw/hoe_werkt_de_btw/voor_wie_geldt_de_btw/eigenaren-van-zonnepanelen/eigenaren-van-zonnepanelen","text":"Everything about VAT on solar panels you can find on Belastingdienst.nl"}]},{"title":"What is the payback period for solar panels?","richBody":{"value":"The payback period for solar panels depends on several factors and will vary more per situation after the abolition of the net-metering scheme. Milieu Centraal currently assumes a payback period between 14 and 17 years for panels purchased in 2025. With an average lifespan of 25 years, solar panels will therefore pay for themselves within their lifespan. The payback period for your situation depends on a number of things.
The payback period of your solar panels depends on:
the number of solar panels installed
the type
the costs of installation
A home battery is a unit that temporarily stores power, for instance the one generated by solar panels on your rooftop. It is a kind of large rechargeable battery that is placed behind the electricity meter. Households with solar panels on the roof generate solar power during the day, but if that power is not used, you supply it directly back to the power grid. With a home battery, your surplus (or part thereof) of solar power is stored for later use.
With regard to Milieu Centraal, a statement about payback period is currently uncertain because many factors play a role. At the same time, they do not recommend a home battery because production burdens the environment.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/particulier/hypotheek/duurzaam-wonen/thuisbatterij","text":"Want to know more about a home battery?"}]},{"title":"How does insuring your solar panels work?","richBody":{"value":"Are the solar panels on your roof or attached to your house? Then they are usually simply insured with your home insurance.
Tip: Check your home insurance in advance
Sometimes insurers impose requirements on the roof construction, installation or maintenance. Or they calculate a different reconstruction value. Your premium can also change.
"}},{"title":"What about return costs and solar panels?","richBody":{"value":"Households with solar panels on the roof generate solar power during the day, but if that power is not used, you supply it back to the power grid. Most households consume approximately 30% of their generated solar power throughout the year.
Feed-in costs for solar panels are costs that your energy company charges when you feed solar power back to the grid. You currently pay extra at almost all energy companies if you generate and supply electricity yourself. The calculation of these costs may differ. Some charge a fixed amount per month, regardless of how much you return. Others you pay per kWh of electricity supplied.
Good to know: even with feed-in costs you still save on your energy bill. Your benefit from netting is higher than what you pay in return costs.
"}}]},{"componentType":"linkList","iconTitle":{"title":"More about sustainable living"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/financing-sustainable-renovation","text":"Financing"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/government-subsidies","text":"What subsidies are available?"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/current-mortgage-rates/the-energy-label-and-your-mortgage-interest-rate","text":"The energy label and your mortgage interest rate"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/energylabels-for-homes","text":"Energy labels explained"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/your-mortgage/building-fund-account","text":"How does a building fund work?"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/mortgage-types/buying-a-sustainable-house","text":"Mortgage for a sustainable home"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/more-green-around-the-house","text":"More green around the house"},{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/home-battery","text":"Home battery"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Good to know","richBody":{"value":"The English text of the website is a translation of the Dutch original version. This translation is intended for the customers convenience only. In case of any discrepancies between the two versions, the original Dutch version shall prevail. The mortgage offer and contract will be signed in Dutch. Also, all further communication after signing the mortgage contract will be in Dutch. You acknowledge and accept this. If any assistance or clarification is needed, we recommend contacting your mortgage advisor or to call our customer service via the ING app.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Popular with other homeowners"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Subsidies","intro":"Discover for which measures you can receive subsidies.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/ad83ddc7-b3fe-448a-8f9b-f76ffd6dc54b/Large_Web-and-Screen-Three-young-girls-peek-over-ledge-smiling","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5b51ed4362897aa4/original/Large_Web-and-Screen-Three-young-girls-peek-over-ledge-smiling.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/government-subsidies"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Energy labels","intro":"Find out where you can request an energy label.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4c4f4528-5f0a-4877-b500-e7681e074417/Small-plastic-toy-houses","type":"image","width":5184,"altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/129c297b760217c8/original/Small-plastic-toy-houses.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/energylabels-for-homes"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Use solar power yourself","intro":"Tips to increase self-consumption of solar power.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/dd55db46-70fd-4d6b-be3c-990232303fd9/Father-helps-young-daughter-as-she-plugs-the-electric-family-car-in-to-charge","type":"image","width":5700,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/604885ff8302f30e/original/Father-helps-young-daughter-as-she-plugs-the-electric-family-car-in-to-charge.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/hypotheek/duurzaam-wonen/meer-zonnestroom-zelf-gebruiken"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Financing","intro":"Discover the options to finance your solar panels.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/72929bb8-a251-4fa2-a284-590d779b1a56/PORTRAIT-OF-A-SMILING-GIRL-WITH-WOMAN","type":"image","width":5700,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/3819b7025de5501d/original/PORTRAIT-OF-A-SMILING-GIRL-WITH-WOMAN.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/mortgage/sustainable-living/financing-sustainable-renovation"}}]}]}}}