New 2026 tariffs in Belgium: the benefits of battery storage

New electricity tariffs for 2026 in Belgium: why storage batteries are becoming essential

The Belgian energy landscape is undergoing a major transformation with the arrival of new tariffs that will come into full effect in 2026. For owners of photovoltaic panels whose installations were approved after 1 January 2024, these changes radically alter the profitability of their investment. In light of this new situation, storage batteries are emerging as the most effective solution for maintaining and even increasing the profitability of your solar installation.

In this article, we analyse the mechanisms of the new tariffs in detail and demonstrate why adding a storage battery is now an essential strategic choice for optimising your self-consumption and significantly reducing your electricity bill.

Understanding the new Belgian electricity tariffs for 2026

The new tariff mechanisms, which will come into full effect in 2026, are part of a drive to more accurately reflect the real costs of the grid and encourage smarter electricity consumption. Three major changes will directly impact owners of photovoltaic panels.

It is important to differentiate between supplier tariffs and DSO tariffs.

New supplier tariffs for electricity will come into force in July 2025. The aim is to encourage consumption when energy is available.

The changes:

• New tariff formulas where the price of electricity changes hourly and varies daily according to prices on the Belgian energy exchange.

• The most attractive time slots are expected to be between midnight and 6 a.m. and between noon and 5 p.m.

Target customers:

✓ Electric cars

✓ Solar panels

✓ Batteries

✓ Programmable heat pump

✓ Home energy management system

1. The definitive end of the "reverse meter"

For photovoltaic installations commissioned after 1 January 2024, the principle of the "reverse meter" will be definitively abandoned. In practical terms, this means that the electricity you feed into the grid and the electricity you draw from it will now be metered separately, with very different tariffs.

This change has a direct consequence: the electricity you produce but do not consume immediately will be sold at a much lower price than the price you pay for electricity from the grid. On average, you will sell your surplus at around £0.05/kWh, while you will pay around £0.30/kWh for electricity taken from the grid. This 1:6 difference makes self-consumption much more advantageous than feeding electricity into the grid.

2. The introduction of dynamic tariffs

From 1 January 2026, residential customers will have a choice of three different tariffs: single rate, dual rate and impact tariff.

What is the new impact tariff?

--> New optional tariff only on the distribution part

Conditions for benefiting from this incentive tariff:

▪ Have a smart meter with communication functionality

▪ Have a grid connection power of ≤ 56 kVA

*Source: ORES-RESA

The new tariffs include a dynamic component that varies the price of electricity according to:

• The time of day: higher tariffs during peak hours (usually in the evening, when solar panels are no longer producing electricity)
• The season: higher tariffs in winter when demand is higher
• Instantaneous demand on the grid: variations of up to 300% between periods of low and high demand

These tariff variations particularly penalise households that consume mainly in the evening, when solar production is low or zero but tariffs are high.

3. Strengthening capacity pricing (prosumer tariff)

The capacity portion of your bill, based on your maximum power drawn from the grid, will increase significantly. This tariff, also known as the "prosumer tariff" or "peak power proportional grid tariff" in Flanders, is designed to reflect the costs of using the electricity grid.

In concrete terms, each consumption peak will be charged more heavily, encouraging more even consumption throughout the day. This change particularly penalises households which, in the absence of a battery, have to draw a lot of electricity from the grid in the evening, creating costly consumption peaks.

"The new 2026 tariffs represent a paradigm shift for owners of photovoltaic panels. Self-consumption is becoming the key factor in profitability, and storage batteries are the most effective way to optimise it."

Why storage batteries are becoming essential in the face of new tariffs

In light of these tariff changes, storage batteries are no longer a simple convenience accessory but have become a central element in the profitability of your photovoltaic installation.

Maximise your self-consumption rate

Without a battery, a conventional photovoltaic installation allows you to self-consume only 30 to 40% of the electricity produced. The rest is fed into the grid at a low price. With a properly sized battery, you can increase this self-consumption rate to 70-85%, or even more.

The battery allows you to store the electricity produced during the day for use in the evening and at night, precisely when your panels are no longer producing but your consumption is high.

For a typical 5 kWp photovoltaic installation in Belgium producing around 4,500 kWh per year, this represents an additional annual saving of up to £500 to £800 solely through increased self-consumption.

Avoid peak consumption and reduce capacity charges

A smart battery, combined with a high-performance hybrid inverter, can detect your consumption peaks and automatically discharge the battery to compensate, thus avoiding drawing too much power from the grid at the same time.

By smoothing your consumption with the battery, you significantly reduce peak consumption from the grid. With the new capacity pricing, this advantage translates directly into savings on your electricity bill.

An average household can save between £150 and £300 per year on the capacity component of their bill alone.

Take advantage of dynamic pricing

Modern batteries, equipped with smart management systems, can be programmed to charge when electricity is cheaper and discharge during periods of high tariffs.

This feature, known as "price arbitrage", allows you to further optimise your energy bill by taking advantage of price variations throughout the day. Over a full year, this optimisation can represent an additional saving of £100 to £200.

Gain energy independence

Beyond the financial savings, a storage battery offers you greater independence from electricity price fluctuations and potential grid failures. Some systems even allow you to continue powering your essential appliances in the event of a power cut, such as these anti-cut kits that offer a backup mode.

Would you like to find out which battery is right for your installation? Take a look at our full range of storage solutions or request a personalised quote.

Economic analysis: profitability of storage batteries in 2026

Let's now examine the concrete profitability of a battery storage installation in the context of the new 2026 tariffs.

Initial investment

The price of a high-performance lithium battery system starts at around £900 for 5 kWh. For an average family, a requirement of 7 to 10 kWh is common, bringing the initial investment to between £1,800 and £2,200.

At Wattuneed, we offer high-quality solutions such as the Pylontech US5000 or the Leapton, which offer excellent value for money and exceptional durability.

Savings achieved

With the new tariffs, a well-sized battery can save money in several areas:

Return on investment

Considering an average annual saving of €750 and an investment of €2,500, the return on investment time is approximately 3.5 years.

With modern lithium batteries having a lifespan of 10 to 15 years (or 6,000 to 10,000 charge/discharge cycles), you will enjoy several years of net savings after your investment has paid for itself.

Furthermore, with electricity prices expected to rise in the coming years, this payback period could be even shorter.

"We installed a storage battery six months ago and our electricity bill has been reduced by more than 70%. With the new tariffs coming in, it's really the best decision we've made for our photovoltaic installation." - The Haccour family, Liège

Case study: The Haccour family in Liège

After taking delivery of their photovoltaic installation in early 2024, the Haccour family saw their annual bill drop from £1,420/year (without a battery) to £610/year thanks to a Pylontech US5000 battery.

Their self-consumption rate rose from 38% to 79%, making their investment profitable in less than 7 years, despite the new tariffs. The battery also allows them to intelligently manage their consumption during peak periods, significantly reducing the impact of the capacity tariff on their bill.

"We chose Wattuneed for their tailor-made support. The battery proved to be a winning choice in the face of the end of the prosumer tariff." – Mr Haccour

Which storage battery to choose in 2026?

The storage battery market has evolved considerably in recent years, now offering more efficient, durable and intelligent solutions. Here are the essential criteria to consider when making the right choice:

Storage capacity

The capacity must be adapted to your consumption and the power of your photovoltaic installation. For an average household, a capacity of 5 to 10 kWh is generally recommended.

Charging/discharging power

This parameter determines the amount of energy your battery can supply instantly. To comfortably power a home, a minimum power of 3 kW is recommended.

Durability and warranty

Modern lithium batteries generally offer between 6,000 and 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. Choose models with a warranty of at least 10 years or 6,000 cycles to ensure a good return on investment.

Intelligent management system

With new dynamic tariffs, an intelligent management system is essential for optimising energy flows based on current tariffs. Batteries equipped with an advanced BMS (Battery Management System) allow you to maximise your savings.

Comparison: With or without a battery in 2026

Need personalised advice? Request a free quote or contact our experts on +32 87 45 00 34.

Personalised advice based on your profile

• For large families: Opt for a higher capacity battery (8 to 15 kWh), to be paired with an energy manager to maximise self-consumption.
• For the self-employed and SMEs: Invest in a modular solution that can be scaled up according to your needs.
• For small consumers: A 5 kWh battery is often sufficient, especially if your consumption is concentrated in the evening.
• For existing installations: Several integration solutions are possible. Our experts can advise you on the best approach for your current system.

Installation and integration of a storage battery

Adding a battery to an existing photovoltaic installation requires some important technical considerations.

Compatibility with your existing installation

If you already have a photovoltaic installation, there are several options available to you:

• AC-coupled installation: the battery is connected on the AC side, in parallel with your existing inverter
• Replacement of the inverter with a hybrid model that manages both the panels and the battery
• Addition of a dedicated batterycharger-inverter

You can find our suitable kits --> here

Space and installation conditions

Modern batteries are compact but require a suitable location: protected from humidity, in a ventilated space with moderate temperatures. A wall surface area of 1m² and a floor space of 0.5m² are generally sufficient for a standard domestic installation.

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Source: ORES-RESA