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Feed-in Tariff Germany 2026: Full vs. Surplus Feed-in

In Germany, full feed-in (Volleinspeisung) pays 12.34 ct/kWh and surplus feed-in (Überschusseinspeisung) pays 7.78 ct/kWh for new systems up to 10 kWp (Bundesnetzagentur, 1 February to 31 July 2026). But every kWh you use yourself saves around 37 ct of grid electricity, which makes self-consumption the bigger win for most German households.

· Author: Checkalle · Sources: Bundesnetzagentur, EEG 2023, BDEW

Rates per EEG §§ 48-49
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Key Takeaways

  • Full feed-in pays 12.34 ct/kWh, surplus feed-in pays 7.78 ct/kWh (systems up to 10 kWp, valid 1 Feb to 31 Jul 2026).
  • Self-consumption beats full feed-in financially once you use more than 20 % of your own power. A grid kWh costs around 37 ct.
  • You can switch models once a year. Deadline: 30 November for the next calendar year.
  • On 1 August 2026, all rates drop by 1 % (degression under EEG §49). Commission before that to lock in the higher tariff for 20 years.

Full feed-in

12.34 ct/kWh

Surplus

7.78 ct/kWh

Self-consumption

~37 ct saved/kWh

Degression

1 % every 6 months

Which feed-in model fits you best?

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Tip: The right choice depends on your daytime power use and whether you plan a battery storage system. Our partners calculate the best option for your roof.

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Current feed-in rates (February to July 2026)

Source: Bundesnetzagentur, German Renewable Energy Act (EEG 2023) §§ 48, 49 and 53.

System sizeSurplus feed-inFull feed-inDifference
up to 10 kWp7.78 ct/kWh12.34 ct/kWh+4.56 ct/kWh
10 to 40 kWp6.73 ct/kWh10.35 ct/kWh+3.62 ct/kWh
40 to 100 kWp5.50 ct/kWh10.35 ct/kWh+4.85 ct/kWh

Rates apply to systems commissioned between 1 February and 31 July 2026. On 1 August 2026 they drop by 1 % (EEG §49 regular degression). Your starting rate is locked for 20 full calendar years plus the commissioning year.

Full feed-in: when does it make sense?

  • Very low daytime consumption. If you are rarely home during the day, putting all power on the grid maximises your tariff income.
  • Large roof, small household. Your production far exceeds your usage, so the higher full feed-in rate beats the self-consumption math.
  • No battery planned. Without storage, typical self-consumption stays around 25 to 30 % (Fraunhofer ISE 2025), and full feed-in pulls ahead.
  • Split system on a big roof. EEG 2023 allows two separate systems with their own meters. One handles surplus, the other goes full feed-in.

Surplus feed-in: when does it make sense?

  • High daytime usage. Home office, heat pump, air conditioning, or EV: heavy daytime demand syncs perfectly with solar production.
  • Battery storage on site. Self-consumption rises to 60-80 % (Verbraucherzentrale 2026), making surplus far more profitable than pure feed-in.
  • Rising power prices. Every self-used kWh saves grid electricity that cost around 37 ct/kWh in early 2026 (BDEW).
  • EV or heat pump. One kWh diverted to your car saves about 30 ct versus grid purchase, almost five times the 7.78 ct surplus tariff.

Frequently asked questions

What is the German feed-in tariff in 2026?
The feed-in tariff (German: Einspeisevergütung) pays solar system owners for electricity they send to the public grid. From 1 February to 31 July 2026, full feed-in pays 12.34 ct/kWh and surplus feed-in pays 7.78 ct/kWh for systems up to 10 kWp (source: Bundesnetzagentur, EEG 2023 §§ 48, 49). Rates are locked in for 20 calendar years from commissioning.
Full feed-in vs. surplus feed-in: which one is better?
For most households, surplus feed-in wins because every kWh you consume yourself saves around 37 ct of grid electricity (BDEW 2026), almost five times the feed-in tariff. Full feed-in only makes sense for very low self-consumption profiles, oversized roofs with small loads, or as a second system in a dual-meter setup.
Can I switch between full and surplus feed-in?
Yes. You can switch once per year. The deadline is 30 November for the following calendar year. Under EEG 2023, you can even split your roof into two separate systems with their own meters: one on full feed-in, the other on surplus.
How long does the feed-in tariff guarantee last?
Twenty full calendar years plus the year of commissioning. The rate is set on your start date and remains stable for the whole period, regardless of future EEG changes.
Do I need to pay tax on the feed-in income?
For systems up to 30 kWp, Germany applies a double tax break since 1 January 2023: no income tax on the revenue (EStG §3 Nr. 72) and 0 % VAT on the system purchase (UStG §12 (3)). Larger or commercial systems may still be taxable, so consult a tax adviser.
What changes after 1 August 2026?
The feed-in tariff drops by 1 % under the regular degression rule (EEG §49). Systems commissioned from 1 August 2026 onward will receive about 7.71 ct/kWh surplus or 12.21 ct/kWh full feed-in. If you commission before that date, you lock in the higher rate for 20 years.

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