Solar Payback Calculator — Germany
Estimate your rooftop PV system's yearly production, electricity-bill savings, payback time and 20-year net profit. Defaults reflect a typical German rooftop: €1,600/kWp installed, 950 kWh/kWp yield, €0.40/kWh grid electricity and the EEG feed-in tariff for surplus.
1 · Your system
2 · Live results
yearly = self × price + exported × feed-in20-year net ignores panel degradation, inverter replacement and electricity price changes — see the explainer below.
How solar payback works in Germany
A rooftop system earns money two ways: every kilowatt-hour you use yourself avoids buying expensive grid electricity (€0.30–0.45/kWh is normal in Germany), and every surplus kWh you export is paid at the EEG feed-in tariff, which is guaranteed for 20 years from commissioning.
The formula
| Step | Calculation | Example (defaults) |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly production | kWp × yield | 8 × 950 = 7,600 kWh |
| Self-consumed | production × self-use % | 7,600 × 40% = 3,040 kWh |
| Exported | production − self-consumed | 4,560 kWh |
| Yearly value | self × price + exported × feed-in | 3,040 × 0.40 + 4,560 × 0.082 = €1,589.92 |
| Payback | install cost ÷ yearly value | 12,800 ÷ 1,589.92 ≈ 8.1 years |
| 20-year net | yearly value × 20 − install cost | €18,998.40 |
Germany specifics
- EEG feed-in: surplus electricity is remunerated under the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz; the rate at commissioning is locked for 20 years. Small rooftop systems (≤10 kWp) currently earn well under 10 ct/kWh, so self-consumption is the main profit driver.
- 0% VAT: since January 2023 residential PV systems up to 30 kWp are sold at 0% VAT (§12(3) UStG) — the €1,600/kWp default already reflects this.
- Income tax: simplified rules mean most small rooftop systems need no income-tax reporting.
- Battery: raises self-consumption to 60–80% but adds several thousand euros; re-run the numbers with a higher self-use share and the battery cost included.
Frequently asked questions
How does the EEG feed-in tariff work?
Under the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, your grid operator pays you a fixed rate per exported kWh, guaranteed for 20 years from the commissioning date. The rate has fallen over the years and is now below 10 ct/kWh for small rooftop systems, so the biggest savings come from using your own electricity rather than exporting it. Enter the rate valid at your commissioning date in the calculator.
Do I really pay 0% VAT on a residential solar system?
Yes. Since 1 January 2023, the supply and installation of PV systems up to 30 kWp on residential buildings is taxed at 0% VAT in Germany (§12(3) UStG). Reputable installers quote this automatically — if a quote includes 19% VAT on the system itself, ask why.
What self-consumption rate is realistic?
Without a battery, a typical household uses 30–50% of its own production; the rest is exported. With a home battery this rises to 60–80%. Higher daytime usage (home office, heat pump, EV charging at home) pushes the rate up for free.
How much does orientation and shading matter?
A south-facing roof in Germany yields roughly 950–1,000 kWh per kWp per year. East/west roofs yield about 15–20% less but produce more morning and evening power — which can actually raise self-consumption. Heavy shading hurts disproportionately; a shaded section can drag down a whole string unless optimizers or microinverters are used.
Is a battery worth it for payback?
It depends on your numbers. A battery shifts evening consumption to stored solar power, raising self-use from ~40% to ~65%+, but adds €4,000–8,000 to the install cost. Model it: add the battery cost to the installation price and raise the self-consumption share — if the payback time drops, it pays for itself.
Last updated: September 2026.
Disclaimer: True EV Cost tools are for information only and are not professional financial advice. Feed-in tariffs, VAT rules and electricity prices change — confirm current figures with your installer and grid operator before investing.