The question has stayed the same for years, but in 2026 the answer is more nuanced than it was under net metering. Payback now depends on three things: the total system cost, your self-consumption ratio, and what you get paid for energy fed into the grid. The example below uses conservative assumptions so we do not promise more than the system can deliver.
The starting point
- System: 5 kWp, south-facing or east-west roof, around 30 degrees tilt.
- Annual yield: about 5,500 kWh (1,100 kWh/kWp, a typical Hungarian figure).
- Turnkey cost: HUF 2.2 to 2.6 million, HUF 2.4 million in the example (panels, inverter, installation, grid notification, HMKE paperwork).
- Household consumption: about 4,500 kWh per year.
- Prices: savings are calculated at a blended HUF 50/kWh (between the regulated and above-limit tariff bands) and feed-in at HUF 25/kWh. These prices can change, so it is worth rerunning the numbers with your own bill.
Three scenarios
| Scenario | Self-consumption | Annual benefit | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base case, nobody home by day | 40% (2,200 kWh) | approx. HUF 192,000 | approx. 12.5 years |
| Higher tariff (HUF 70/kWh on consumption) | 40% | approx. HUF 236,000 | approx. 10 years |
| Smart control, heat pump or battery | 60% (3,300 kWh) | approx. HUF 220,000 | approx. 11 years |
The logic is simple: every self-consumed kWh is a kWh you do not buy, while every exported kWh earns the much lower feed-in price. That is why it pays to use as much energy on site as possible.
What else to factor in
- Degradation: modern N-type panels lose around 0.4% per year, so after 25 years they still deliver roughly 87 to 90% of rated power.
- Inverter replacement: a string inverter typically lasts 12 to 15 years. Set aside HUF 250,000 to 400,000 for it in the payback calculation.
- Energy price growth: if electricity prices rise over time, payback gets shorter. We do not build this into the base calculation.
- Property value: a good solar system and a better energy rating help at resale, but we do not count that as a payback item.
How to shorten the payback
The biggest lever is raising self-consumption. Running the washing machine, dishwasher and boiler around midday, operating a heat pump or air conditioner in the daytime, and charging an electric car at home all count. A smart meter and energy management are standard on most hybrid inverters. A battery also raises self-consumption, but on its own it has a long payback, so it makes sense to weigh it together with the available grant.
Design matters too. An east-west layout has a lower midday peak but a broader production curve, which fits the morning and evening consumption of many households. On an unshaded roof with correct inverter sizing, the yield can be 5 to 10% better than on a carelessly designed system.
Summary
In 2026 an average family-house system realistically pays back in 10 to 13 years, while the system itself lasts 25 to 30. It is still a sound investment, but no longer an automatic one: design and self-consumption decide the result. If you would like a calculation based on your own consumption data, request a quote and we will prepare a specific sizing and payback calculation from your bill.
It is worth running the calculation with your own bill: if your annual consumption is much higher than in the example, or your tariff falls in a higher band, payback is shorter. If, however, the house is empty by day and has no large loads, the system should be sized smaller so that we do not produce surplus that is exported at a low price.
