Photovoltaik Calculator Germany 2026

Solar in Germany: EEG, Eigenverbrauch and batteries

Germany pioneered residential solar, and although the generous feed-in tariffs of the 2000s are long gone, rooftop photovoltaics remain a sound investment in 2026 — just for different reasons than before. The economics have flipped from earning money by exporting to saving money by self-consuming. With retail electricity among the most expensive in Europe (around 35 ct/kWh) and feed-in rates now under 8 ct, every kilowatt-hour you use yourself is worth far more than one you sell. This calculator models that reality, comparing partial and full feed-in and showing why self-consumption (Eigenverbrauch) wins.

The EEG rates here were verified for 2026; they step down half-yearly and are guaranteed for 20 years from commissioning, so treat the figures as dated references.

How the Einspeisevergütung works in 2026

Under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), a grid-connected PV system earns a fixed feed-in tariff for 20 years from its commissioning date. As of early 2026, systems up to 10 kWp earn about 7.8 ct/kWh for Teileinspeisung (partial feed-in — you self-consume and export only the surplus) or about 12.3 ct/kWh for Volleinspeisung (full feed-in — everything goes to the grid). The rate steps down roughly 1% every six months for new systems, but once your system is commissioned, your rate is locked for the full 20 years regardless of later changes. Registration in the Bundesnetzagentur's Marktstammdatenregister is required to receive the tariff.

Teileinspeisung vs Volleinspeisung — why partial usually wins

Although full feed-in pays a higher per-unit rate (about 12.3 vs 7.8 ct), partial feed-in is the better choice for almost every household with normal electricity consumption — and here's why. Self-consumed solar saves you the full retail price of about 35 ct/kWh, because it's electricity you don't have to buy. Exported solar earns only the feed-in tariff. So a self-consumed kilowatt-hour is worth roughly 4.5 times an exported one at current prices. Full feed-in only makes sense for buildings with little or no on-site consumption (a holiday home, say), where there's nothing to self-consume. For a normal home, maximising Eigenverbrauch is the clear winner, which is why about 95% of systems use partial feed-in.

Why a battery makes sense in Germany

Because self-consumption is so much more valuable than export, raising your self-consumption share is the key lever — and that's exactly what a home battery does. A typical home without storage self-consumes only 25–35% of its solar; a battery can lift that to 60–80% by storing midday surplus for evening use. With the gap between the ~35 ct retail price and the ~7.8 ct feed-in tariff so wide, every kilowatt-hour shifted from export to self-use is worth about 27 ct more. That's why battery attachment rates on new German systems are among the highest in the world. Whether a battery pays in your case depends on its cost against the self-consumption it adds, which the calculator helps you weigh.

Frequently asked questions

For systems up to 10 kWp commissioned in early 2026, about 7.8 ct/kWh for partial feed-in (Teileinspeisung) and about 12.3 ct/kWh for full feed-in (Volleinspeisung). The rate decreases roughly 1% every six months for new systems but is then fixed for 20 years from commissioning.

For nearly all homes, Teileinspeisung (partial feed-in). Self-consumed solar saves the full ~35 ct retail price, while exported solar earns only the ~7.8 ct tariff — so using your own power is worth about 4.5 times more. Full feed-in suits only buildings with little on-site consumption.

Yes — the case has simply shifted from export income to self-consumption savings. With high retail electricity prices and much lower system costs than in the past, using your own solar (especially with a battery) delivers strong returns even though feed-in rates are low.

Often yes in Germany, because it raises self-consumption from ~25–35% to ~60–80%, and each shifted kilowatt-hour is worth about 27 ct more (retail minus feed-in). The battery's cost still has to be justified by the self-consumption it adds, but the wide price gap makes the case stronger than in many countries.

Once the 20-year guarantee ends, you can keep feeding surplus to the grid at the prevailing market value (typically a few cents) or, better, continue self-consuming and add or keep a battery to use as much of your own generation as possible. The panels keep producing well beyond 20 years, so the system remains useful — just without the guaranteed tariff.

About 9 kWh a day or 3,204 kWh a year on average, from about 3.3 a day in December to 12.7 a day in June, according to PVGIS data for panels at the best fixed angle. Shading, dust and orientation change the result.