roof-mounted solar panels

Online platform for roof-mounted solar panel subsidies riddled with issues

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An online platform for roof-mounted solar panel subsidies launched by the energy ministry earlier this week has been riddled with issues as close to 90 percent of 2,100 applications submitted until yesterday have been rejected as a result of errors prompted by ambiguities and shortcomings.

Interested parties can submit applications up to two times, meaning ambiguities leading to flawed applications must be cleared up as soon as possible, otherwise numerous applicants will end up being blocked from the platform.

A platform detail requiring applicants to submit official declarations in the case of rented or free-of-charge housing has been the cause of some of the confusion. Also, category-related ambiguities have ended up blocking applications submitted by farmers.

Furthermore, a term requiring applicants to submit tax and social security fund updates confirming that they do not owe any outstanding sums to either department promises to stand as a major obstacle for the subsidy program’s success.

Under the current terms, many applicants owing even the slightest tax or social security fund amount will be barred from the online platform subsidizing roof-mounted solar panels.

Roof-mounted solar panel subsidies offer major benefits

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A new subsidy support program for roof-mounted solar panels, announced by the energy ministry yesterday, promises considerable, bigger-than-expected rewards for households and farmers.

A small 3-KW solar panel system costing 11,500 euros, for example, can offer benefits worth a total of 22,000 euros over a 25-year period, the duration of supply agreements, bigger 5-KW systems costing 13,500 euros promise to offer benefits of nearly 40,000 euros, while 7-KW systems costing 17,000 euros can offer rewards totaling 65,000 euros over a 25-year period, energy consultant Stelios Psomas has determined in an analysis for energypress.

The energy ministry’s support package for roof-mounted solar panel installations offers high-level subsidies for households and farmers, up to 100 percent cost coverage for batteries, as well as simplified application procedures.

The support package’s overall cost benefits for four separate categories, based on annual electricity usage levels, are far bigger than initial estimates that had been based on a preliminary announcement, concerning the program, a few months back.

Roof-mounted solar panel subsidy coverage for the four categories ranges from 70 percent for lowest-level annual electricity usage levels of up to 4,500 kWh and 40 percent for annual electricity usage levels of 15,000 kWh and over.

Fund not yet chosen for roof-mounted solar panel subsidies

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Despite a series of government announcements in recent months declaring the imminent arrival of a subsidy support program for roof-mounted solar panel installations, the finance ministry has yet to decide on a fund to provide the required sum, which has been boosted from 200 million euros to 230 million euros.

A month has elapsed since the government delivered a guide offering details of the support program, but its launch is being postponed from week to week, despite obvious political benefits the government stands to gain ahead of the May 21 general elections.

It remains unclear if the finance ministry, currently dealing with other priorities, will opt to fund the support program via the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), some other source, or a combination of sources.

The government increased the value of the support program for roof-mounted solar panel installations to 230 million euros, from an initial amount of 200 million euros, as a result of the strong interested it has generated.

This increased sum promises to increase the number of eligible parties from 30,000 to between 33,000 and 35,000 as well as the resulting total capacity to be installed from 150 MW to 170 MW.

 

Roof-mounted PV subsidies up roughly 15% to at least €230m

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The government has decided to boost the budget of a first-round subsidy package for roof-mounted solar panel installations by approximately 15 percent, to at least 230 million euros from an initial sum of 200 million euros, driven by extraordinary demand as well as forthcoming general elections in Greece, on May 21, as well as early July, the latest, if a second round is needed.

The energy ministry, waiting for certain subsidy-package details to be finalized, could launch the support program for roof-mounted solar panel installations today. If not, it is expected to be launched within the next few days, ahead of the upcoming weekend’s Greek Easter break.

In practical terms, the additional 30 million euros or so to be made available for roof-mounted solar panel subsidies means that between 33,000 and 35,000 households and farmers, up from an initial total of 30,000, will be eligible for the package’s support.

Also, the additional RES capacity to be offered to the grid as a result of these installations stands to rise to 170 MW from 150 MW.

Capacity limits for the package’s PVs and batteries, as well as participation terms, based on details announced in March, will remain unchanged.

The package’s solar panel installation subsidies will cover as much as 75 percent of the investment’s cost for households and 60 percent for farmers.

Subsidy package enhanced for roof-mounted PVs with storage

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A subsidy package supporting roof-mounted solar panel installations with energy storage units, whose terms and conditions were announced yesterday, has been enhanced on a number of fronts.

The capacity limit for solar panel installations eligible for this support program has been raised to 10.8 kW from 7 kW. Also, besides households, the package will also be offered to farmers. This latter category’s inclusion into the program had been in doubt over beliefs that funding availability was insufficient. However, the subsidy package’s budget has now been boosted to 200 million euros from a previously reported total of 150 million euros.

The support program’s increased budget was bound to happen as 35 million euros would have been required for low-income families, while a 10 percent subsidy bonus was also added to the offering for persons with disabilities, single-parent families and multi-member families.

Authorities were prompted to deliver a more generous support package as a result of strong interest expressed by prospective applicants.

The capacity limit boost, to 10.8 kW per roof-mounted solar panel installation, also required a capacity lift for incorporated energy storage units, from 7 kW to 10 kW.

Households stand to receive subsidies covering as much as 75 percent of the cost of roof-mounted solar panel installations with energy storage units, while farmers will be subsidized for up to 60 percent of their cost.

This means households stand to qualify for subsidies worth as much as 16,000 euros and the package’s support for farmers may reach 10,000 euros.

 

 

 

Capacity limit for subsidized solar panels raised to 10 KW

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The energy ministry, currently making final revisions to an imminent subsidy program offering support for approximately 300,000 prospective roof-mounted solar panel projects, has risen the capacity limit per unit installed to 10 KW from 7 KW, as was initially planned.

Investors proceeding with roof-mounted solar panel installations will need to incorporate energy storage units into these projects to be eligible for the subsidy support program.

The increased capacity limit means investors will be making adjustments to planned energy storage units accompanying their solar panel plans.

Conditions and terms to be set concerning three-phase and single-phase electricity supply remain unclear, sources closely following the ministry’s preparations for the subsidy program have informed.

Farmers, included in the original plan for roof-mounted solar panel subsidies, were later removed, reportedly as a result of a lack of funds, but have now been reinstated, according to latest reports.

If this is confirmed, it can be presumed that the ministry was able to ensure additional funds for the subsidy program, whose budget, as a result, could exceed 150 million euros.

According to latest information, low-income households will be eligible for subsidies covering the entire cost of energy storage units and 65 percent of the cost of solar panel systems.

Individuals with income levels of up to 20,000 euros per annum and families with overall incomes of up to 40,000 euros per annum are likely to be fully subsidized for the cost of energy storage units and for 35 percent of the cost of solar panel systems.

Individuals with income levels of over 20,000 euros per annum and families with overall incomes of over 40,000 euros per annum are likely to be eligible for subsidies covering 90 percent of the cost of energy storage units and 25 percent of the cost of solar panel systems.

These percentage figures remain unconfirmed as the ministry is still tweaking details of the subsidy program. Energy minister Kostas Skrekas, in comments offered just days ago, noted the subsidy program will be launched this month.

 

 

Roof-mounted PV, solar water heater subsidies imminent

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The energy ministry is adding final touches to guides for highly anticipated subsidy programs supporting roof-mounted solar panel and solar water heater installations.

One of the two guides could by announced by the ministry this Friday, while the other may follow suit next week, sources noted.

The subsidy program for roof-mounted solar panels, to offer a total of approximately 150 million euros in subsidies, will be restricted to households as funds currently available do not suffice to also include farmers and businesses in the support program, as had been originally intended.

The support program is expected to subsidize photovoltaic system installations with a maximum capacity of 10 kW if they are backed by batteries offering up to 10 kWh in storage capacity and are equipped for three-phase electricity supply.

It will also offer subsidies to photovoltaic systems with capacities of up to 5 kW, as long as they are equipped for single-phase power supply and incorporate 5 kWh batteries.

According to sources, the subsidy program for roof-mounted solar panels will be divided into three income-based categories.

Low-income households will be eligible for subsidies fully covering the cost of batteries and 65 percent of solar panels.

Individuals with income levels of up to 20,000 euros per annum and families with a combined income level of up to 40,000 euros will be entitled to subsidies fully covering battery costs and 35 percent of solar panels.

Also, individuals with income levels of more than 20,000 euros per annum and families with a combined income level of more than 40,000 euros will be entitled to subsidies covering 90 percent of battery costs and 25 percent of solar panels.

As for solar water heating systems, first-home owners and owners of holiday homes will be eligible for subsidies covering between 50 and 60 percent of this water-heating technology’s overall cost, depending on income level and boiler capacity.

Income-based criteria for this subsidy program are expected to divide interested parties into three categories: Below 5,000 euros per annum; between 5,000 and 10,000 euros per annum; and over 10,000 euros per annum.

 

Net metering applications for roof-mounted PVs restarted

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Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s information system accepting net-metering applications for solar panels with capacities of up to 10 KW was relaunched last week following a three-week break for revisions and, according to energypress sources, has so far attracted over 650 grid connection applications through a greatly simplified procedure.

Roughly one third of these applications concern small-scale photovoltaics with batteries. These 200 or so applications have presumably been submitted by consumers planning to be subsidized for their project plans as a new support program for roof-mounted solar panels only subsidizes projects incorporating energy storage systems.

The subsidy program concerning roof-mounted photovoltaics installed for net-metering purposes is expected to be launched in March, energy minister Kostas Skrekas told Greek Parliament’s Standing Committee on Production and Trade yesterday, during its examination of a multi-bill covering a wide range of energy-sector issues.

A launch of the subsidies program before March 25 is possible as its guidelines have been completed and are ready for publication, energypress sources noted.

The subsidy program for roof-mounted photovoltaics will also be open to projects that secured grid connections prior to its upcoming launch but are still not operating.

The energy minister, during yesterday’s parliamentary committee session, reiterated a total of 300,000 consumers – households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises – stand to receive subsidies for their roof-mounted photovoltaic projects through the support program.

A capacity upper limit on roof-mounted photovoltaics for households included in the subsidy program appears set to be revised upwards to 10 KW from 7 KW.

Small-scale PV net-metering applications platform reopening

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An online platform upgrade by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO for net metering applications concerning solar energy panels with capacities of up to 10 KW has been activated by a ministerial decision published yesterday, but the operator still needs a few more days to make minor IT adjustments before applications can be accepted.

According to energypress sources, the net-metering platform will be ready to fully operate on February 28, a few days beyond the original date planned.

The operator’s platform was temporarily shut down on February 7 for its upgrade and scheduled to reopen on February 22.

The platform upgrade is planned to simplify the net-metering application procedure and also cover a forthcoming subsidy program for roof-mounted photovoltaics.

Ministry putting final touches to solar panel subsidies offer

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The energy ministry is finalizing the details of a subsidy program for roof-mounted solar panels to be made available to a total of 300,000 applicants – households, farmers, and businesses.

Pre-notification of the support program’s guidelines is expected to be released next week, barring unforeseen developments, so that interested parties may begin preparing their applications, energypress sources informed.

In addition, distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO has just about completed a platform simplifying net metering application procedures, so that interested parties may submit applications prior to the launch of the subsidy program for roof-mounted solar panels.

The subsidy program will need to be approved in Parliament as part of a draft bill also including other RES sector matters.

Speaking at an industry event yesterday, energy minister Kostas Skrekas noted that a 40 percent share of the subsidy program’s funds would be allocated for households, while farmers and businesses would each share 30 percent. This share of the funds means roughly 120,000 households, 90,000 farmers and 90,000 businesses will be eligible.

The ministry has increased the subsidy program’s total number of eligible parties to 300,000 from 250,000 as it opted to lower the program’s capacity limit for household roof-mounted solar systems to 7 KW from 10 KW, energypress sources informed.

 

Roof-mounted solar system subsidy program from March 8

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The scheduling details of a subsidy program for roof-mounted solar panels are close to being finalized with an opening date for applications by interested parties expected to be set within the first ten-day period of March, probably March 8.

Authorities are aiming for the installation of approximately 250,000 photovoltaic systems by households, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises, while greatest possible priority is expected to be given to applicants also intending to attach batteries to these systems.

The subsidy program, to offer 350 million euros for roof-mounted solar panel installations with batteries, will cover as much as 60 percent of the investment cost.

Authorities expect some 80,000 of 250,000 applications in total to combine roof-mounted solar panel installations with batteries.

At least 100,000 households are expected to receive subsidy support for roof-mounted solar panel installations, while program applicants from the farming and small and medium-sized enterprise categories should each total 75,000.

Officials aim to deliver a preliminary announcement of the subsidy program’s guidelines from early February onwards.

Subsidy program for PV net metering systems in January

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The energy ministry is working towards launching, in January, a subsidy program for small-scale solar energy systems to be installed by households, farmers and small-sized enterprises for net-metering purposes as a means of reducing their energy costs.

This subsidy program was announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at September’s annual Thessaloniki International Fair.

It is expected to offer subsidies for solar energy panel installations to at least 100,000 households, 75,000 small enterprises and 75,000 farmers.

The subsidy funds to be provided for households and farmers are expected to stem from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) and the REPowerEU program, introduced by the European Commission to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian energy sources. The government is expected to provide subsidies for small businesses through the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The initiative is seen subsidizing up to 60 percent of solar energy system installations combining energy storage. Subsidies for simpler systems are expected to cover at least 30 percent of their cost.

Roof-mounted solar panel application procedure to be simplified

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The energy ministry is working on simplifying an application procedure for roof-mounted solar energy systems, ahead of a related subsidy program, by reducing the amount of supporting documents needed by interested parties and shortening the overall process, energypress sources have informed.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had first announced the procedure would be simplified during his speech at the annual Thessaloniki International Fair in early September.

The ministry’s revisions will seek to reduce to a minimum the number of supporting documents needed by applicants and spare them of the need to resort to civil engineers to obtain some of the needed documents.

The aim is to establish an online procedure for applicants. Energy ministry officials are currently collaborating with DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, to finalize the revised list of supporting documents needed as well as the new procedure.

A subsidy program covering as much as 60 percent of the total cost for roof-mounted solar energy systems will soon be offered, Alexandra Sdoukou, the energy ministry’s secretary-general, told the recent Renewable & Storage Forum, staged by energypress.