The proposal to protect residential solar panels from negative wholesale market prices brings a key question back into focus: how much is the electricity generated by your home worth if it is not used there at that moment?
Proposal under consultation: The Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on 10 October 2026 a draft bill open for consultation until 24 October 2026. The specific provision is presented here as a proposed measure, not as a new rule that has already taken effect. [1]
What the proposal provides
For residential consumers with self-consumption solar systems of up to 10,8 kW, the proposal is for negative wholesale market prices to be treated as zero when calculating compensation for surplus energy. The aim is to prevent households from incurring the related cost.
This would limit one risk associated with surplus generation. However, it would not guarantee positive revenue every hour or a fixed selling price.
A simple example using hypothetical figures
Suppose that during one hour, a system feeds 5 kWh into the grid and the price used to value it is −0,02 €/kWh. The simple calculation gives −0,10 €. If the same price were treated as zero, the result would be 0 €.
The example shows only the difference between a negative and a zero valuation. It does not describe an actual charge under a specific contract, a current market price, or a complete bill settlement.
Why self-consumption remains important
With self-consumption, the solar system first meets the home’s needs while it is generating electricity. Any surplus can be fed into the grid and compensated. When generation is insufficient, the home buys the remaining electricity according to its supplier’s tariff.
Therefore, when assessing a system, it is important to distinguish between two benefits: the electricity purchases avoided through direct self-consumption and the value of the energy exported to the grid. Comparing only annual kilowatt-hours generated and consumed is not enough.
Therefore, when assessing a system, it is important to distinguish between two benefits: the electricity purchases avoided through direct self-consumption and the value of the energy exported to the grid. Comparing only annual kilowatt-hours generated and consumed is not enough.
Is it worth adding a battery?
A battery allows some of the surplus to be stored and used later, increasing self-consumption. [2] It needs to be assessed separately from a financial perspective: equipment cost, capacity, losses, lifespan, and the hours when electricity is used all affect the outcome.
For a home with higher evening energy needs, it is worth comparing options with and without storage. For a home that already uses a large share of its generation during the day, the additional benefit may differ. The proposed protection from negative prices does not replace this comparison.
What else is under discussion
The same draft bill includes proposals for energy sharing and flexible connections in areas with limited grid capacity. These are separate measures; they do not mean that a connection will automatically be approved for every home. [1]
What to consider before choosing solar panels
- Your consumption by hour and season, not just the annual total.
- The suitability of your roof and the connection terms.
- The terms of your tariff and compensation for surplus energy.
- The total cost and a comparison of options with and without a battery.
How much of your electricity can you generate and use?
Ask Solar Home for an assessment for your home. With recent bills, information about your electricity consumption times, and details of the available space, we can discuss a solar solution and consider whether storage suits your needs.
