PV groups seek sustainable PV tariffs for units up to 500 MW

Two local photovoltaic groups have called for the establishment of a new mechanism offering steady and sustainable electricity generation sale prices for new PV installations with capacities of up to 500 MW.

The two industry groups, SPEF, the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers, and SEF/HELAPCO, the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies, representing PV equipment traders and technicians, submitted a joint request to the energy ministry.

Current regulations enable PV installations, without any involvement in competitive procedures, for facilities of up to 500 MW, but the resulting tariffs offered for electricity production are extremely low as they are determined by a formula multiplying the previous year’s System Marginal Price by 1.1 or 1.2. Low tariffs offered through this procedure are keeping investors away.

The proposal made by the two associations calls for the establishment of steady tariffs through competitive procedures as a means of ensuring that PV equipment cost reductions are factored in and guaranteeing sustainable prices for new small-to-medium size installations.