New programs to support photovoltaics – when will they be “turned on” and who will care about them?

It is expected that two new energy saving programs with support for the installation of photovoltaic cells will be “operationalized” in the coming period.

According to the information, one of the programs will relate to supporting measures provided to municipalities to install photovoltaic complexes and energy production to support vulnerable families. The second concerns photovoltaic cells on business roofs.

The works program is estimated to support battery systems and the total budget is estimated at €150-160 million. The program is expected to be implemented – hopefully – next September. The goal is to support companies that will not provide any feed.

As far as the municipal program is concerned, the installation will be supported by up to 100%, and it is expected to benefit about 30,000 families. In order for municipalities to be able to install solar parks, they will have to create energy communities, with the aim of supporting vulnerable households. According to the plan, the energy generated will be compensated for electricity bills.

At the same time, the issuance of a ministerial decision regarding the provisions of Law 5037/2023 regarding changes in the application of energy compensation (net metering) and the possibility of self-production in real time (net billing) remains off the table. Law 5037/2023 introduced changes to self-consumption, with the provisions of this law stipulating, among other things, that owners of residential buildings will be able, by simple agreement, to create a community of producers without registering with GEMI, thus enabling owners to bypass the approval of all The remaining owners and with 50% still in the process they decided to install PV.

Analysts reported that they expect a move from the government regarding the VAT reduction which will further stimulate the market, as the cost of self-generation systems remains prohibitive for a large part of society as well as for energy communities. In a recent ad, Green Tank stated, “In the wake of the energy crisis, more and more citizens are turning en masse to renewable energy sources, realizing their benefits for both households and the environment. However, DEDDIE data shows that grid inadequacy is leading to more and more applications for self-generation projects being rejected by energy communities. This is despite the availability of significant European and national resources for a just transition to support energy and self-generation communities using renewable energy sources to achieve self-sufficiency.».