Installing solar panels on a rental property in Belgium
Installing solar panels on a rental property in Belgium. Who pays, who benefits, impact on the rent, taxation and return on investment.
The interest of installing solar panels on a rented property
For Bernard, installing solar panels offers several advantages:
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| EPC improvement | Potential move from F to D -> unblocking indexation |
| Property value increase | +5 to 10% market value |
| Rental attractiveness | Tenants seek energy-efficient properties |
| Charge reduction | Lower energy bill for the tenant |
| Return on investment | 7 to 12 years in Belgium (with grants) |
The main issue for a rented property: who pays for the installation and who benefits? The landlord invests but the tenant benefits from the electricity produced.
In Brussels, properties with EPC E-G can no longer be indexed since 2022. Installing solar panels can shift the EPC from F to D, which unblocks indexation — an annual financial gain of 2-3% of the rent.
Installation in practice
Permits
| Element | Permit required |
|---|---|
| Panels on flat or pitched roof | Generally no (except listed heritage) |
| Panels on facade | Planning permission |
| In a co-ownership | Vote at the general assembly (qualified majority) |
| Grid connection | Application to the grid operator (Sibelga, ORES, Fluvius) |
Impact on the tenant
- During the works (2-3 days): the tenant must allow access to the roof
- After installation: the tenant benefits from the electricity at no extra cost
- Meter: the tenant’s meter records production and consumption
Cost and timeline
| Item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Installation (10 panels, 4 kWp) | 5,000-8,000 EUR |
| Inverter | Included |
| Grid connection | 200-500 EUR |
| Certification | 200-400 EUR |
| Total | 5,500-9,000 EUR |
The return on investment is 7 to 12 years thanks to regional grants and energy bill savings.
Sharing the benefits between landlord and tenant
Standard situation
Without a specific clause in the lease, the tenant benefits fully from the electricity produced. The landlord invests but receives nothing directly (other than EPC improvement and property value increase).
Allocation clause
The landlord can negotiate a specific clause in the lease (or an amendment):
| Allocation method | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Rent increase | +50-100 EUR/month (justified by energy savings) |
| Energy contribution | The tenant pays a monthly flat rate for using the panels |
| No allocation | The landlord invests, the tenant benefits (attractiveness) |
Recommendation
For a long-term rental, the simplest method is not to allocate and to compensate with a rent increase at the next tenant change or at the triennial deadline. The EPC improvement and property attractiveness compensate the investment over 10-15 years.
See our guide on service charges for the cost pass-through arrangements.
Taxation and grants
Grants by Region
| Region | Grant | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | RENOLUTION solar grant | 1,500-2,500 EUR (income-dependent) |
| Wallonia | QUALIWATT grant | Reduced since 2024, check |
| Flanders | No installation grant (but meter advantage) | - |
Tax deductibility
Solar panels are a property investment:
- Property rented to a private individual: included in the 40% flat rate (no separate deduction)
- Property rented to a company: deductible as actual costs
- Depreciation: possible if the property is rented in a professional context
Green certificates (Wallonia)
In Wallonia, the installation generates green certificates for 10 years, which have market value (65 EUR per certificate). For a 4 kWp installation, expect approximately 4-5 certificates/year = 260-325 EUR/year in additional income.
To manage installation documents and energy tracking, a rental management software centralises everything. To create a lease with an energy clause, use our online lease generator. For other cases, see our case studies.