FAQ | EnergyHome

EnergyHome installs a solar panel system at your home free of charge. For the energy that comes out of these solar panels and that you can use, you pay a fixed or variable tariff that is guaranteed to be lower than your current energy price.

Everything, everything, is included in that price. There are no costs or charges or anything else.

If you need energy outside of solar hours, you still have to buy it from an energy supplier (and those prices are much more expensive). But when the sun shines and you need energy, you get it from your own roof. And when you don't need energy, you pay nothing and we inject the energy into the grid.

You have to be the owner of the house before you can qualify for an EnergyHome contract. If you are a tenant, you will have to convince your landlord to co-sign.
If there are several owners of the building, the Association of Co-owners (VME) must approve and sign the agreement (all owners must co-sign on the agreement). Before we start the whole administrative process, we therefore ask for the VME's approval in principle. Once you have it, we can start working together!

Large and small roofs, as long as there are not too many obstacles on the roof or nearby that give shade. Both flat and pitched roofs are possible. Many roof types also qualify. However, we do not build installations on asbestos roofs. We also do not build on natural slates as they are too brittle and very fragile. Roofs consisting of artificial slates from more recent years than 2002 are possible, as there is no longer any asbestos in the slates.

No, an environmental permit is almost never needed for solar panels when they are installed on a roof. If a permit is needed, we will inform you beforehand.

We assume that the current installation is already compliant, otherwise we are not allowed to install it. In any case, no reinspection of your current installation is required.
We can look at small adjustments together, but in the case of major adjustments, you will have to make them beforehand, also to be legally compliant.

The solar panels do have to be installed on a roof. For solar panels on land, the procedures are much more cumbersome and an environmental permit is often required.

If an initial analysis via satellite images shows that your roof is suitable for solar panels, you will be invited to a zoom session, where the EnergyHome formula will be explained. After this zoom session, you will receive the agreement from us. If you accept this, a home visit will follow in any case, so that we can map out everything technically (state of the roof, number of solar panels, cabling, etc.). We then send you a proposal for a building file. Only if you approve it will we start on the installation. If the stability does not allow it, we will obviously not take any unnecessary risks and the contract will be declared null and void.

However, we do not build installations on asbestos roofs. Nor do we build on natural slates as they are too brittle and very fragile. Roofs consisting of artificial slates more recent than 2002 can be used, as it is certain that there is no asbestos in the slates.

Our technical colleagues determine the number of solar panels for your installation based on an analysis of your roof and home. We will place the maximum number of panels possible on your roof so that you can also maximise your savings. The number of panels depends on the available shadow-free surface area. After signing the agreement, we will do a site visit. We will then draw up a customised proposal, so that you can see exactly what is possible and give your approval or not.

Today, EnergyVision is the market leader in the solar sector in Flanders and Brussels. We provide a total offer to the customer, with a focus on taking care of everything. Thousands of customers, large and small, have gone before you. With EnergyHome, you choose for high quality and sincere respect for the customer for 30 years.

The price per kWh consumed is variable with our unit price guaranteed to be 30% lower than your current energy supplier's unit price, for a maximum period of 30 years. On the basis of the presentation of the most recent statement from your energy supplier, together we determine your rate: it is 30% lower than the price you pay at your energy supplier.

Moreover, here too, you can terminate the contract every five years (which we do not assume 😉 ) and you can change your formula every 5 years, from variable to fixed and back again.

With both the fixed and the variable rate, you have the choice to exit. This is accompanied by a fixed cost of EUR 500. This amount covers our cost of removing the solar panels from your roof and disconnecting the inverter.

Every 5 years, you have the option to change rates free of charge. If you decide to switch during the 5 years, we charge an administrative fee of EUR 250. This allows you to check which tariff is most advantageous for you every five years.

The price per kWh consumed is set at 0.20 EUR for a period of up to 30 years. This price is also an all-in price (VAT, transport and distribution costs, levies) and will therefore never increase.

In addition, you can get out every five years and you can change the formula every 5 years, from fixed to variable and back again.

A solar panel is also called a "photovoltaic module" ("PV") in the jargon. A PV system consists of solar cells. These convert sunlight into electricity, in the form of direct current. This direct current travels from cell to cell and from panel to panel. It finally arrives at the inverter.

The inverter then converts this direct current into alternating current so that the generated energy can be used. After all, electrical appliances only work with alternating current.

A green meter (or production meter) measures the electricity generated by the panels. Using a 4G card plugged into the meter, we receive the production index every day. This enables us to detect any malfunctions in the system immediately and take action quickly.

A bi-directional meter measures how much energy you actually take off the grid as well as the energy injected into the grid. A two-way meter has been a legal requirement in Flanders since 1/10/2021 for installing solar panels. The installation of this 'smart' meter is arranged and paid for by us. Grid manager Fluvius will install it in advance. You do not have to worry about anything for this.

Click here to learn more about our products in detail. Our solar panels guarantee a top yield. We have the greatest interest in quality: that way we can produce as much power as possible. We are only paid on the basis of the power we produce, so we have an interest in top quality!

Yes, it does! A solar panel produces power as soon as it is exposed to light, including diffuse light coming through the clouds. The more light falls on it, the better of course, but even during cloudy moments, solar panels generate energy (albeit much less than on a sunny summer day).

Absolutely. As soon as there is light on the panels and they are not snowed in, sprinkled or dewired, solar panels simply function. Even in winter and at low temperatures (albeit much less than on a sunny summer day).

Our solar panels can withstand quite extreme conditions. Moreover, EnergyHome installs solar installations according to the rules of the art, which further reduces the risk of damage due to extreme weather conditions.

The auto-consumption is measured in real terms, based on certified, official meters. You can follow the auto-consumption in our client portal, but you can also consult it at any time via the official meter of grid operator Fluvius: you can read it both on the Fluvius meter itself and in the client portal of Fluvius online.
Measurements are taken on a quarter-hourly basis, via the digital meter.

You can follow the production (panels, distribution) in our monitoring portal, but you can also consult it at any time via the official meter of grid operator Fluvius: you can read it both on the Fluvius meter itself and in the customer portal of Fluvius online.

You will receive an agreement proposal from us. If you accept this, a home visit will follow in any case, so that we can map out everything technically (state of the roof, number of solar panels, cabling, etc.). Then we will send you a proposal for a building file. Only when you approve these and Fluvius has installed a smart meter, we start with the installation. If the stability does not allow it, we will obviously not take any unnecessary risks and the contract will be declared null and void.

You will still need an energy supplier anyway (EnergyHome only supplies power when the sun is shining). Of course you are free to stay with your current energy supplier. In any case, your bill with your supplier will be significantly lower because you will be using a large part of the power from the solar panels at our fixed (EUR 0.20/kWh) or variable rate (30% lower than your energy supplier's rate).

No, you don't need to worry. We arrange everything for you: inspector, meter replacement, and so on. Your energy supplier does not need to be informed. Of course, you can always contact your supplier afterwards to say that you have installed solar panels and that you want to reduce the amount of your advance bill on that basis.

Yes, it is important to provide your insurer with a copy of the signed agreement so that they are aware of it. Please note that we own the installation and pay insurance for the entire installation. So, in principle, your insurance premium will not be increased. However, we cannot guarantee this as it varies from one insurer to another and exactly what is included in your policy.

No, it is not necessary to clean them yourself. The panels clean themselves for the most part due to the slanted arrangement of the panels and the protective layer. Moreover, in Belgium there is sufficient precipitation so that no extra cleaning is needed. If a noticeable drop in yield is identified, we schedule a maintenance and cleaning session.

For 30 years EnergyHome guards your installation. So you can enjoy your solar panels carefree! No maintenance costs, no monitoring and no costs in case of damage caused by our installation.

It is also in our interest that the installation works perfectly. If there is no power, we cannot invoice anything. It is therefore in our interest that the installation produces the best possible energy and that you save as much as possible. This means that we detect and solve malfunctions quickly. We remain responsible for the entire installation for 30 years, and defective parts are replaced as quickly as possible.

To properly monitor the (future) production values of the installation, we need your help and ask you to give us the mandate to read your digital meter remotely. This will ensure that we can monitor the installation correctly and, above all, draw up correct, transparent energy bills for the electricity consumed by the solar panels.

At a further stage of the process, you will receive a link from us that will take you to a Fluvius website. Please follow the necessary steps and complete the process. Please note that this link is only valid for 24 hours.

After 30 years, you receive the solar panels and can continue to use all the power without paying anything. After 30 years, solar panels still have a return of more than 70%. We therefore recommend that you do not dismantle them immediately and continue to enjoy green power for a few years.

Yes you can. Then you do dissolve the agreement as mentioned under clause 9.

There are various contractual possibilities for terminating a contract early and/or taking over the installation.
The various options for duration and termination can be found under Article 9 Duration and termination of the agreement.

The new owner can take over the contract under the same conditions. The contract can also be terminated. It is contractually provided that there are various possibilities for terminating a contract early and/or taking over the installation. For more information, please consult Article 9.4 of the contract.

First of all, we wish you a very long life! If the inevitable does happen, there are various contractual possibilities for early termination of the contract and/or taking over the installation.

In the first instance, you are responsible to us for the proper performance of the contract. The statements will be sent to the tenant. But if the tenant does not pay, you are responsible and will have to pay - and recover from the tenant.
After all, it is not with the tenant that we enter into the contract (but with your and the tenant's consent, we can therefore put the invoices in his name).

If work needs to be done and the installation needs to be temporarily removed, we will do this for you. For this we charge a fee of EUR 40 per panel for removal, temporary storage and then re-assembly.

Your energy bill will undoubtedly go down.

Example: We consider a standard consumption of 3,500 kWh per year (family with two children). Suppose we can place an installation of 10 solar panels on your roof, the installation will generate +- 3,500 kWh of green electricity annually. On average, we find that +-40% (or 1,400 kWh) of the production will be consumed locally by the customer (= self-consumption). In other words, in this example, you will purchase 1,400 kWh from EnergyHome at a much cheaper rate.
 
Suppose you have opted for our fixed formula, you will pay EUR 280 to EnergyHome instead of EUR 700* to your current energy supplier for this 1,400 kWh of green power. So this means annual savings of EUR 420 without any investment or headaches. The higher your unit price with your energy supplier or the higher your self-consumption, the higher your savings will be. Tips to increase your self-consumption can be found in the answer to the question below "How can I save more with my solar panels".
 
*Calculated at an average unit price of EUR 0.50 per kWh.

The more you use self-consumption (immediate use of production), the less electricity you demand from the grid and the more you save. It is therefore recommended that appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers be run during the day when the panels are producing.

You pay a fixed (EUR 0.20/kWh) or variable price (30% lower than your current energy price) for the energy that comes from the solar panels and that you can use.
There are no other costs: we pay for insurance, any maintenance or repairs, any taxes, everything.
If you need energy outside of solar hours, you still have to buy it from an energy supplier (and those prices are by definition much more expensive).

The fixed or variable rate is an all-in price, including VAT. We pay the costs for insurance of our installation, for any maintenance or repairs, for any taxes, everything. We agree this together and it is cemented in our contract.

Preventive cleaning is not done because it is of little use to residential installations: we live in Belgium, we can just let the rain do its work! However, we do permanently monitor performance and intervene when necessary.

There is a mandatory and legal environmental contribution on solar panels that are built on roofs in Flanders (in the same way that there is an environmental contribution on batteries and electrical appliances). EnergyVision has long been affiliated with PV Cycle, the association responsible for the recycling of solar panels. This means that this environmental contribution is automatically paid by EnergyVision. Two advantages for EnergyHome customers: you are fully in compliance with the law (because the environmental contribution is paid by us) and if you ever have the solar panels removed from your roof, they are processed and recycled free of charge: no surprises for you, no taxes or fines, and you certainly don't have to take them to the container park!

Sometimes there is a fee, sometimes there is a cost for injecting energy into the grid (this is about the energy produced by the solar panels, but which you cannot use at home). This energy is injected into the grid. At times of general shortage, we receive money for it. At a time of surplus (for example because there is too much sunshine and too little need for energy at the weekend or in the afternoon or so forth), we pay money for it. The benefits and risks of this injection are for us.

We work with a smart meter, not a reverse meter. Therefore, there is no prosumer tariff to pay, not even to your current energy supplier. The installation of the smart meter is also arranged and paid for by us.

We will invoice you for the electricity consumed each month by direct debit. We will provide you with a monthly statement of the electricity consumed. This is stated in detail on the monthly invoice.

Payment by bank transfer is not possible. Direct debit is important to us in order to make the payment and follow-up process automatic.

Own an electric car, so that a minimum of approximately 1,500 kWh per year can be purchased from the charging point and have space to place a charging point. We only pay for the placement of the console on the wall, not in the driveway and provide one hole through the wall. Civil works (digging, repairing the garden and driveways) are not at our expense.

This will have to be decided at the time, and also depends on the size of the installation. Your charging point is private: only you can use it, or for example friends or family you allow to use it.

No.

We provide a standard model.
For a residential connection, this will be a regular charging point. For a fast charging station, you will need heavy-duty electricity supply and cabling. We do indeed have solutions for that too, but it does not fall under the residential EnergyHome formula, but under our industrial EnergyDrive formula: https://www.energyvision.be/en/drive.

The vast majority of electric cars are connected to the charging point via a charging cable with a type 2 plug.
To use an ultrafast charger, you need a CCS connection on the car.

We will install a charge point if you have at least one of the following capacities at home:

• 230V + 40A (single-phase)
• 3x230V + 40A (three-phase)
• 3x400V + 25A (three-phase + neuter)

If you have a lower power, unfortunately we cannot install a charge point as your fuse will otherwise keep tripping when you are charging your car and consuming at the same time in the house.
The capacity of the charge point is then determined by the available capacity of your electrical installation.
EnergyVision does not intervene in adding weight to your home installation.

A normal home connection with 40 A is normally sufficient.

The charging time for an electric car depends on the battery, the charging technology in the vehicle, the type of charging point and the type of charging cable, temperature, etc. In general, you can fully charge your car at a 11kW charging point in about four to six hours, depending on how full or empty your battery is. At a fast roadside charger, you can charge up to 80% in 15 to 30 minutes. A 7.4 kW charging point takes between 6 and 10 hours, depending on the strength of your charging cable and the status (battery percentage) of your car battery.

With the EnergyHome formula, we work with a 7.4kW charging point. For connections with a single-phase connection, we provide a 7.4 kW charging point. This charging point is also equipped with a protection against power failure. We recommend charging with a 16A charging cable to avoid using 80% of your home's full power to charge your car. With a 32A charging cable, a load balancing system must always be used.

If your home has a three-phase connection, EnergyVision can also install a three-phase charging point. Higher capacities will soon also be financially disadvantaged by the capacity tariff. EnergyVision recommends slow charging at home.

Mechanical meter: do I have a single-phase or three-phase connection? (click here for the picture).
Smart meter: do I have a single-phase or three-phase connection (click here for the illustration).

Difference between connections: click here for an explanation of the difference.

For most cars, a 90% charge level is sufficient for normal daily use. We recommend that you increase the charge limit only when driving long distances.

Ultrasonic chargers pass through a car's on-board charger and deliver up to 350 kW direct current (DC) directly to the battery. This power requires special transformers and mains connections that are not available in homes. The result is that a car is charged in no time: often in 15 minutes or less.

We will install a charge point if you have at least one of the following capacities at home:

• 230V + 40A (single-phase)
• 3x230V + 40A (three-phase)
• 3x400V + 25A (three-phase + neuter)

This can be connected either monophase or multiphase.
EnergyVision does not intervene in weighting your home installation.

We assume that your car consumes at least 1,500kWh annually. That corresponds to a driving range of about 7,500 km.

As with the solar panels, we recommend that you send a copy of the contract to your insurer to inform them that solar panels and a charging point have been installed by a third party investor. We are the owner of the installation and therefore insure the entire installation as well as the charging point. In principle, your insurance premium will therefore not be increased. However, we cannot guarantee this as it varies from one insurer to another and what exactly is included in your policy.

If any maintenance is required, we will take care of it, and as far as any taxes are concerned, we confirm that there are none, but if there are, they are also at our expense as stated in the agreement.

EnergyVision only pays for the installation of the console on the wall and the connection to your network. We provide one hole through the wall. Civil works (digging, repairing gardens and driveways) are not at our expense.

The charging point is provided together with the installation of the solar panels. We only pay for the installation of the console on the wall and the connection to your network. We provide one hole through the wall. Civil works (digging, repairing the garden and driveways) are not at our expense.

Under normal circumstances, maintenance of a charging point is not necessary. In case of problems, please contact the EnergyHome/EnergyVision helpdesk.

Yes, you can. In that case, you dissolve the agreement.

Yes you can. Please refer to clause 9 in the agreement.

We leave the charging point in place after the term of the contract (30 years). The entire installation then becomes your property.

Yes you should inform your fire insurance company about the arrival of a charging point and the solar installation by a third party investor. We are the owner of the installation and therefore insure the entire installation as well as the charging point. In principle, your insurance premium will therefore not be increased. However, we cannot guarantee this as it varies from one insurer to another and what exactly is included in your policy.

The charging point remains connected to the property. The new owner can then choose whether or not to take over the energy contract.

You simply receive a monthly invoice with the kWh used by the solar panels. If locally produced solar energy is used for electric charging on the charging point, then only this energy is included in the monthly EnergyHome bill. The charging point only serves to increase the auto-consumption of the solar panels. Charging outside of solar hours is therefore not recommended.

Payment is fully automatic, via direct debit.

Payment by bank transfer is not possible. Direct debit is important to us in order to make the payment and follow-up process automatic.