Why a home battery price is often 21% higher than you think

A home battery price only means something once you know what it covers. Is the price shown with or without VAT? Is it hardware only, or a complete system? And are mounting, cabling and changes to the meter cupboard (the "meterkast" in Dutch homes) included? This check stops two amounts from looking comparable when they cover different things.

Start with the VAT

For consumers, a home battery is normally taxed at 21% Dutch VAT. An offer of €5,000 excluding VAT therefore comes to €6,050 including VAT. The difference is €1,050. That is not an installer surcharge, it is simply the result of how the amount is displayed.

Some providers lead with a price excluding VAT and explain that the VAT may be reclaimable. Whether that works in your situation depends on the conditions and your tax position. A possible refund is therefore not a good basis for a direct shop comparison. Look first at the amount you actually pay at purchase.

Hardware is not yet a working system

A battery module is often the most expensive visible component, but it cannot always operate on its own. Depending on the brand, you may also need an inverter or energy controller, a meter, a gateway, mounting parts and cabling. With a modular system, a single battery in one shop may sit next to a complete package in another.

So check the type number and the package contents. The same brand is not enough. The storage capacity, inverter power and number of phases must match too. A single-phase system with 5 kW of power is technically and financially different from a three-phase system with 10 kW of power.

What counts as installation?

A fixed home battery is connected to the home's electrical installation. The price of that work depends on the cable route, the mounting location and the consumer unit (fuse box). A fixed installation package may include, for example, a maximum length of supply cable, data cable and surface-mounted conduit. Extra metres, digging work or a new consumer unit may fall outside it.

With an all-in amount, ask exactly what is included. Check delivery, mounting, commissioning, an extra RCBO, the data connection and testing of the system. Also ask when additional work arises and how it is agreed in advance. A higher amount with a generous package can end up better value than a low starting price with lots of add-ons.

How to compare two offers like for like

1. Note the exact brand, model and type number.
2. Check the nominal and usable storage capacity.
3. Compare the same inverter power and the same number of phases.
4. State both amounts including 21% VAT.
5. Include all necessary system components.
6. Include delivery, installation and foreseeable additional work.
7. Check warranty, monitoring and any subscription costs.

Write the reference date next to each amount. Web prices and promotions can change. A comparison without a date can be out of date within weeks.

How we display prices

The amounts in our shop include 21% VAT. For individual components, the hardware price takes centre stage. Installation is a separate product with a fixed package description. That way you can see which part is for the device and which part is for the work on site.

For a home battery up to and including 10 kW, the fixed installation package starts at €1,349 including VAT. If your home does not fit within the stated cable and work lengths, you receive a different proposal first. Systems above 10 kW go through a quote. The installation page lists the full package limits.

Frequently asked questions

Is a price excluding VAT wrong?

No. It does need to be clear that VAT still has to be added. For a consumer comparison, convert the amount to including VAT first.

How do I add 21% VAT to an amount?

Multiply the amount excluding VAT by 1.21. An amount of €4,000 then becomes €4,840 including VAT.

Can I reclaim the VAT on a home battery?

In some situations you can, but it depends on current tax rules and your personal circumstances. Have this checked before you treat a possible refund as a certainty.

Is installation always required?

A fixed, grid-connected home battery requires electrical work. Have the required work assessed in advance. A plug-in battery belongs to a different product group and has different connection requirements.

Why do capacity figures sometimes differ?

Manufacturers may quote nominal and usable capacity side by side. Compare the same figure and check the exact type number.

What is the fairest final price?

The fairest final price includes the necessary hardware, 21% VAT, delivery, installation and foreseeable additional work. State the same technical configuration and a reference date alongside it.