The home battery as a label booster: New opportunities for your business as of May 2026
Let’s be honest: until now, home battery sales mainly relied on early adopters and tech enthusiasts. However, a major shift is coming that lowers the threshold for the rest of the Dutch market. From May 29, 2026, the home battery officially counts towards a home's energy label via the updated NTA 8800 standard.
For you as an installer, this is a major opportunity. It is no longer just a story about saving money later, but about the direct value of your customer's property.
Why this changes the kitchen table conversations
Until recently, a battery did nothing in the official energy label calculation. Electricity from solar panels was already fully deducted from the calculated consumption, leaving no room for the battery to improve the score.
That changes now. The government is introducing a policy correction factor—a bonus of sorts—for energy storage. In practice, this results in an improvement of approximately 2% on the total performance score. That might seem minor, but for a home that is right on the edge of a greener label, this is the deciding factor. A jump from label B to A can increase property value by 4% to 5% on average. That makes for an easier sale, doesn’t it?
Take note: The 3 rules for the 'label bonus'
The standards committee has set clear requirements. To ensure your project counts, you must meet these conditions:
The 5 kWh minimum: Systems below 5 kWh are considered too small to have a significant impact on energy performance. Advise modular systems that at least reach this limit.
Expert work, no plugs: Plug-and-play systems do not count. The energy label belongs to the building, so the battery must be a fixed, certified installation in the meter cupboard according to the NEN 1010 standard.
Combination with PV: In the calculation method, a battery only counts if local generation (solar panels) is also present.
Crucial for new construction (BENG)
Do you work frequently on new-build projects? Then this news is even more vital. The home battery helps in meeting strict BENG 2 requirements (limiting fossil energy use). Sometimes, adding a battery is even a more cost-effective alternative than installing more solar panels or extra insulation.
Get ahead of the curve
With the approaching end of the net metering scheme and these new label rules, 2026 will be the year of the battery. By installing systems now from brands with solid quality statements such as Growatt, Enphase, or SMA, you offer a solution that pays off directly during a new label assessment in two years.
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FAQ: Everything you as an installer need to know
Does every battery count toward the energy label? No, only fixed installations with a minimum capacity of 5 kWh and a connection to solar panels qualify.
Does the brand of the battery matter? There is no brand obligation, but the energy advisor must be able to verify the data. The Tier 1 brands you buy at ESTG generally have their technical documentation and quality statements in excellent order.
What does an energy advisor need from me? The advisor requires proof for the label registration: an invoice, photos of the installed unit (including the type plate), and the technical specifications. Ensure you include these in your delivery file.
What if a customer already has a label? Existing labels remain valid for 10 years. However, in the event of a sale or a new appraisal after May 2026, a new assessment including a battery can be very beneficial for the property value.
Does an electric car (V2H) also count? Currently, the NTA 8800 only considers stationary storage (fixed home batteries). Mobile storage in a car is not yet included as building-related energy storage.
Does this also apply to businesses (commercial buildings)? Yes, the change applies to both residential and commercial construction. Especially in the commercial sector, where larger battery systems are often placed, the impact on the label and the BENG score can be significant.