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

In Germany, full feed-in (Volleinspeisung) pays 12.22 ct/kWh and surplus feed-in (Überschusseinspeisung) pays 7.70 ct/kWh for new systems up to 10 kWp (Bundesnetzagentur, valid for commissioning from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027). 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.de Redaktion · Sources: Bundesnetzagentur, EEG 2023, BDEW

Rates per EEG §§ 48-49
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Key Takeaways

  • Full feed-in pays 12.22 ct/kWh, surplus feed-in pays 7.70 ct/kWh (systems up to 10 kWp, commissioning 1 Aug 2026 to 31 Jan 2027).
  • 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.
  • The next 1 % cut comes on 1 February 2027 (degression under EEG §49). Your rate at commissioning stays fixed for 20 years.

Full feed-in

12.22 ct/kWh

Surplus

7.70 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 (1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027)

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

System sizeSurplus feed-inFull feed-inDifference
up to 10 kWp7.70 ct/kWh12.22 ct/kWh+4.52 ct/kWh
10 to 40 kWp6.66 ct/kWh10.24 ct/kWh+3.58 ct/kWh
40 to 100 kWp5.44 ct/kWh10.24 ct/kWh+4.80 ct/kWh

Rates apply to systems commissioned between 1 August 2026 and 31 January 2027. The next 1 % cut follows on 1 February 2027 (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 four times the 7.70 ct surplus tariff.

Feed-in tariff calculator: full or surplus?

Enter your system size, consumption, and electricity price. The calculator compares both models with the rates valid from 1 August 2026.

Rule of thumb: about 1,000 kWh per kWp

Usually 25-30 % without storage, 60-80 % with a battery

Full feed-in

-258 € per year

Surplus + self-consumption

1,279 € per year

Surplus feed-in comes out ahead: Advantage 1,537 € per year · Projected over 20 years: 30,740 €

Assumptions: tariff applied per capacity tier, constant electricity price, yield spread evenly across the system. Rates: Bundesnetzagentur, as of 1 August 2026.

EEG reform 2027: what may replace the feed-in tariff

The current rate stage runs until 31 January 2027, when the next scheduled 1 % cut follows (EEG §49). The bigger story: on 29 July 2026 the federal cabinet approved an EEG reform under which new solar systems would move step by step from the fixed feed-in tariff to direct marketing from 2027. As a bridge, the draft plans a flat transitional payment of 5.2 ct/kWh for up to 36 months, or alternatively a direct-marketing bonus of 1.5 ct/kWh.

Important for your planning: this is not law yet. The Bundestag and Bundesrat still have to approve it, parliamentary debate starts in autumn 2026, and details can change. What the cabinet draft does make clear: existing systems are not affected. If you commission your system in 2026, you keep the classic fixed tariff for 20 full calendar years plus the commissioning year.

One rule already applies today: under the Solarspitzengesetz (in force since 25 February 2025), new systems receive no feed-in payment during quarter-hours with negative exchange prices. The missed time is added to the end of the 20-year period. Our German-language guides on the Solarspitzengesetz and negative electricity prices cover the details.

Sources: cabinet decision on the EEG reform of 29 July 2026, summarised by energie-experten.org; Solarspitzengesetz: Clearingstelle EEG/KWKG. As of 13 August 2026. We will update this page once the reform is passed.

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. For systems commissioned from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027, full feed-in pays 12.22 ct/kWh and surplus feed-in pays 7.70 ct/kWh 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: no income tax on the revenue (EStG §3 Nr. 72, since 1 January 2025 a uniform 30 kWp limit per residential or commercial unit) and 0 % VAT on the system purchase (UStG §12 (3), still valid in 2026). Larger or commercial systems may still be taxable, so consult a tax adviser.
What changed on 1 August 2026?
The feed-in tariff dropped by 1 % under the regular degression rule (EEG §49). Systems commissioned from 1 August 2026 receive 7.70 ct/kWh surplus or 12.22 ct/kWh full feed-in (up to 10 kWp). This stage runs until 31 January 2027. Systems commissioned earlier keep their old rate for the full 20 years.
Is Germany abolishing the feed-in tariff?
It is planned, but not law yet. On 29 July 2026 the federal cabinet approved an EEG reform that would move new systems to direct marketing step by step from 2027, with a transitional payment of 5.2 ct/kWh (up to 36 months) or a direct-marketing bonus of 1.5 ct/kWh. The Bundestag and Bundesrat still have to approve it. Existing systems keep their guaranteed rate for the full 20 years.
Do I get paid when electricity prices go negative?
Not for new systems. Since the Solarspitzengesetz came into force on 25 February 2025, new installations receive no feed-in payment during quarter-hours with negative exchange prices. The missed time is added to the end of your 20-year payment period instead, so the compensation is stretched, not lost.

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Sources