Solar carport in the Netherlands: yield, charging, permit
Updated 26 October 2026 · 5 min read
A solar carport is a canopy whose roof is made of solar panels. On a well-oriented roof it yields roughly 850 to 950 kWh per kWp per year in the Netherlands. Whether you need a permit depends on the carport itself and your municipality. The electrical work must be done by a recognised installer.
How many panels fit?
A modern panel delivers about 400 to 440 Wp and measures around 1.8 to 2.0 m². A 4 by 6 metre carport roof holds roughly 10 to 12 panels, depending on whether you place them in landscape or portrait and how much edge you leave. That is a little over 4 to 5 kWp.
What does it yield?
Use the rule of thumb of 850 to 950 kWh per kWp per year for a south-facing roof at about 30 to 35 degrees tilt. For 10 to 12 panels that works out to roughly 3,500 to 4,500 kWh per year. An east-west layout or a flatter tilt gives less per kWp, although the output is then spread better over the day.
To find out for your address, use PVGIS, the European tool for estimating solar yield. You enter location, tilt and orientation and get an estimate per month.
| Factor | Effect on yield |
|---|---|
| Direction (south is best) | large |
| Tilt angle | medium |
| Shade from trees or buildings | large |
| Number and power of panels | directly proportional |
Charging an electric car
A solar carport and a charging point go well together, but keep in mind:
- Charging at 11 kW needs a suitable grid connection and an installer who assesses your meter cupboard and cabling.
- During the day, when the sun shines, the car is often not at home. Smart charging, or a charger that can follow surplus power, helps you use more of your own electricity.
- A home battery is a possible addition, but not required.
The end of net metering (saldering)
The Dutch net metering scheme (salderingsregeling) ends on 1 January 2027. After that, how much electricity you use yourself matters more than how much you feed back. What the feed-in payment looks like then differs per energy supplier. So ask your supplier for the current terms before you rely on a payback time.
Permit
For the carport itself the same rules apply as for any canopy: in the backyard area a structure usually fits without a permit under the general rules, but always check the Omgevingsloket and your municipality's local plan. The main points are in permit for a canopy or garden house.
A few extra points for a solar carport:
- The panels add weight and catch extra wind. The structure and anchoring must be designed for that.
- A carport is often next to the road or in the front garden. Stricter rules apply there.
- A monument or protected city or village view can bring restrictions.
Run the check on omgevingsloket.nl and ask your municipality if in doubt. A Hofplan drawing is not a structural calculation; a solar carport that needs a permit comes with a calculation by a structural engineer.
Installation and registration
The electrical connection, inverter and cabling are done by a recognised installer. You can build the timber structure yourself if you are handy, but combined with panels it needs a strong, stable construction. Register your installation with your grid operator (netbeheerder); your installer can often help with that.
How to go about it
- Measure your driveway or spot and check shade and orientation.
- Estimate the yield with PVGIS.
- Check the permit rules for your address.
- Have an installer assess the electrical side, including a charger.
- Ask your energy supplier about the rules after 2027.
What next?
Design a carport in the 3D configurator and see how many panels fit. More on our solar carport plans is on the solar carport page. Wondering which roof suits a canopy without panels? Read polycarbonate or glass. The permit indication gives you a first traffic light; it does not replace the real check on the Omgevingsloket.