The "Rooftop Photovoltaics" subsidy scheme is now open!
The subsidy of the photovoltaic system with energy storage (battery) reaches 75% for households. Farmers are able to choose whether their PV plant will be combined with a battery or not, and the subsidy is up to 60%
Below you can find all the relevant information
The subsidy of the photovoltaic system with energy storage (battery) reaches 75% for households. Farmers are able to choose whether their PV plant will be combined with a battery or not, and the subsidy is up to 60%
Below you can find all the relevant information
"Rooftop photovoltaics" subsidy scheme Q&A
1. WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM ALL ABOUT?
The program "Rooftop photovoltaics" provides funding for households to install PV systems that are combined with batteries to store part of the energy they produce.
2. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? WILL I STOP PAYING FOR ELECTRICITY? WILL MY HOME BECOME AUTONOMOUS?
Installing a net metering photovoltaic system with energy-storage offers significant environmental benefits and leads to energy and cost savings, but it does not necessarily make your home autonomous. By installing a PV system, you can save up to 90% of your annual electricity costs (typically 85%). Municipal taxes and TV license charges are not included in the above percentages, as they are charges as third-party services based on the surface area of the home.
3. WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF BENEFICIARIES AND THE SUBSIDY RATES?
There are 4 categories from A to D, according to the rows in the table below. Unless they are eligible for the Social Household Tariff (KOT) or are farmers, most households fall into categories B and C.
In addition, in case the applicant is a person with disabilities (AMEA) at least 67%, or a single-parent family or a large family, the subsidy rates and maximum amounts for each category increase by 10%.
There are 4 categories from A to D, according to the rows in the table below. Unless they are eligible for the Social Household Tariff (KOT) or are farmers, most households fall into categories B and C.
In addition, in case the applicant is a person with disabilities (AMEA) at least 67%, or a single-parent family or a large family, the subsidy rates and maximum amounts for each category increase by 10%.
4. WHY DO THE RATES DIFFER WITHIN THE SAME ROW AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME AS A CATEGORY B BENEFICIARY?
Regarding the columns, while the production part and the part department make up a single system, the subsidy rates for each are different. Also, the subsidy rates for "small" systems below 5kWp are different from those for "large" systems up to 10.8kWp.
5. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SOCIAL HOUSEHOLD TARIFF (KOT)?
Eligible beneficiaries in Category A (Vulnerable Households) are the beneficiaries of the social household tariff. This includes low-income households, as well as households consisting of people over the age of 70. If you meet one of the above two criteria and want to see if you are eligible, it is better to have a discussion with your accountant.
6. I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR KOT. IS IT STILL WORTH IT FOR ME?
In short, yes! A PV system, especially if we are talking about a modern house with constantly increasing energy needs, will benefit greatly. Especially if the system required to balance the consumption reaches 5kW or more, the numbers are extremely attractive. For an extensive analysis of various system sizes, you can check our financial analysis presentation. In summary, the numbers and payback periods are still excellent even if you don't receive any subsidy! If you manage to get one even better. You will have a discount in the production part, while the storage part will be completely free!
7. WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE SUBSIDY?
It should be clear that the program only applies to individual owners and not companies! Beneficiaries who want to apply for funding should have previously signed a Connection Agreement with the DEDDIE which acts as an installation permit for the PV system. To be able to do this, they first must pay a fee of 370€+VAT = 458,80€.
8. WHO IS DEDDIE?
DEDDIE (or HEDNO) is the operator of the electricity distribution network in Greece. Essentially, it is the former Public Power Corporation (DEI). The current DEI is simply another electricity provider such as ELPEDISON, HERO, PROTERGIA, etc. who sell electricity. Applications for permits of residential PV systems are only submitted for approval to DEDDIE.
9. I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED, SO WHAT IS THE SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS?
Step 1: You send us your utility bills and we see what consumption you have. Step 2: We conduct a study and design of the system. Step 3: We calculate the cost of the system and send you our quotation. Step 4: Once we agree, we sign a contract and you make the first deposit for the order/reservation of the products. Step 5: You pay the fee and we apply to the DEDDIE for a permit. Step 6: You sign the contract with DEDDIE and you now have the permit. Step 7: We apply for the subsidy scheme. If it is urgent and after we discuss it, we can go directly from Step 1 to Step 5.
10. DO I APPLY TO DEDDIE MYSELF?
Better not. The process is not difficult and doesn't require many documents, but it's best to contact a specialist like our company to avoid mistakes that could cost you time, and consequently a spot in the subsidy scheme. Once we submit the application to DEDDIE, they have a 15-day margin to respond, although they usually reply within 4-5 working days.
11. WHY IS THE STORAGE (BATTERY) PART SUBSIDIZED WITH SUCH A HIGH RATE COMPARED TO THE PRODUCTION PART OF THE SYSTEM?
For a solar PV system installed in a building, the expected self-consumption percentage of the generated electricity, that is the electricity consumed when it is produced, averages at about 35%. The remaining 65% of the generated electricity is fed into the grid where it is "stored" on your behalf. This results in the local grid at neighborhood or city level reaching saturation point and not being able to absorb the excess energy if there are many systems with surplus power in the area at that time. The use of batteries in PV systems aims to limit the bidirectional use of the grid, increasing self-consumption and thus the capacity for more PV installations.
Therefore, the benefit, at least at this stage, concerns mainly the grid and its ability to absorb more renewables and not the consumer. As an example, the profit for a 5 kWh system with storage, with today's prices is around 120€/year. Nevertheless, we estimate that in the coming years, we will see significant changes in network usage charges due to its necessary upgrades (electric vehicles, heat pumps, etc.). Consequently, the cost difference between self-consumption and grid injection, as well as the benefits of storage, will be grater, and the benefits for the consumer will be more tangible.
Therefore, the benefit, at least at this stage, concerns mainly the grid and its ability to absorb more renewables and not the consumer. As an example, the profit for a 5 kWh system with storage, with today's prices is around 120€/year. Nevertheless, we estimate that in the coming years, we will see significant changes in network usage charges due to its necessary upgrades (electric vehicles, heat pumps, etc.). Consequently, the cost difference between self-consumption and grid injection, as well as the benefits of storage, will be grater, and the benefits for the consumer will be more tangible.
12. CAN THE BATTERY PROVIDE POWER IN CASE OF A POWER OUTAGE?
In short no! Batteries aim to maximize self-consumption of the generated energy. During system operation, the generated energy is primarily channeled to cover household consumption. Any excess production is channeled to the storage system until it is fully charged. Only when the charge is at 100%, the energy from the PV is fed into the grid.
During periods when the energy generated by the PV station is insufficient to cover consumption, power is provided by discharging the storage system. After the battery has been discharged to a certain amount, energy is absorbed from the grid.
Under certain conditions, the system can be configured to supply the house even in case of a power outage, but currently, there is no legal framework for this.
During periods when the energy generated by the PV station is insufficient to cover consumption, power is provided by discharging the storage system. After the battery has been discharged to a certain amount, energy is absorbed from the grid.
Under certain conditions, the system can be configured to supply the house even in case of a power outage, but currently, there is no legal framework for this.
13. WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS?
The following conditions must apply cumulatively:
• the applicant must have submitted an income tax statement for the tax year 2021 (E1 2022).
• the residence must be the primary or secondary home of the applicant (owned, rented, or leased). By secondary, we do not mean a house provided by the landlord for rent, as this is the primary residence of the tenant. A secondary residence could be a vacation home in the countryside, or a property used as an Airbnb. In any case, it must be declared in the tax form E1 as a primary or secondary residence.
• the residence must have an active domestic (non-communal) electricity supply
Note 1: If other individuals with income are hosted in the residence, their income is added to the total income of the household.
Note 2: Applicants who or whose spouse filed an income tax statement as foreign residents during the reference year (2021) are not eligible.
Note 3: Dependent members who are not required to file their own individual tax statement cannot apply.
• the applicant must have submitted an income tax statement for the tax year 2021 (E1 2022).
• the residence must be the primary or secondary home of the applicant (owned, rented, or leased). By secondary, we do not mean a house provided by the landlord for rent, as this is the primary residence of the tenant. A secondary residence could be a vacation home in the countryside, or a property used as an Airbnb. In any case, it must be declared in the tax form E1 as a primary or secondary residence.
• the residence must have an active domestic (non-communal) electricity supply
Note 1: If other individuals with income are hosted in the residence, their income is added to the total income of the household.
Note 2: Applicants who or whose spouse filed an income tax statement as foreign residents during the reference year (2021) are not eligible.
Note 3: Dependent members who are not required to file their own individual tax statement cannot apply.
14. HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN I SUBMIT?
Each Natural Person and each household can submit only one application that concerns only one residence.
15. IS THE ENTIRE COST COVERED BY THE PROGRAM?
Usually yes. The program has maximum amounts for each of the cases in the table, with smaller amounts for higher incomes, and each case is different. That is why an appropriate study should be made, and a quotation should be drafted. Any expenses that exceed the maximum scheme amounts are covered by the participant's own contribution.
16. HOW AN I GOING TO RECEIVE THE SUBSIDY FUNDS?
Given that the relevant documentation has been issued according to the terms of the program and has been paid in full, the subsidy will be paid to the beneficiary after the paperwork has been checked.
17. HOW LONG AM I BOUND TO THE PROGRAM?
As with most funded programs, the beneficiary is obligated to keep the equipment that has been subsidized in his/her ownership for at least five (5) years from the date of the subsidy payment.
18. WHERE CAN THE SYSTEM BE INSTALLED?
A. On the building:
B. On secondary spaces of the house such as
C. On the ground with suitable supports
In any case, the structures on which the system is installed must be properly licensed, either with the appropriate permit or with relevant legalization/ regularization. In the case of installing the system on the ground, the issuance of a small-scale construction works approval (EEΔΜΚ) by a suitable specialty engineer is required.
- On the roof
- On balconies
- On pergolas
- On the facade
- As a shading system
B. On secondary spaces of the house such as
- Garden sheds
- Carports
C. On the ground with suitable supports
In any case, the structures on which the system is installed must be properly licensed, either with the appropriate permit or with relevant legalization/ regularization. In the case of installing the system on the ground, the issuance of a small-scale construction works approval (EEΔΜΚ) by a suitable specialty engineer is required.
19. HOW MUCH SPACE WILL I NEED?
For the installation of photovoltaic panels on a flat roof: 8,0-10,0 m2/kWp
For the installation of photovoltaic panels on a tiled roof or pergola: 5,0-7,0 m2/kWp
For the installation of photovoltaic panels on a tiled roof or pergola: 5,0-7,0 m2/kWp
20. "I HAVE A SINGLE-PHASE POWER SUPPLY. WHAT IS THE LARGEST SYSTEM I CAN INSTALL?"
The power output of a single-phase system cannot exceed 5 kW. To install a system with more than 5 kW of output power, you will need to upgrade to a three-phase system, where the maximum output power can reach up to 10 kW. The process is time-consuming (taking at least one month) and involves the expenses for the conversion of the central electrical panel, the expenses of DEDDIE, as well as for the new audit required for the installation.
21. I'M INTERESTED. WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST?
As a first step, we'll need to get an idea of the annual energy consumption for the specific meter. For this purpose, you'll need to send us the last 3 electricity bills that cover the period of a year. Bills are issued every 4 months and have the indication "ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΣΤΙΚΟΣ" clearly visible on the front page. Usually, the indication of the last and previous readings is shown, and next to them the difference (ΔΙΑΦΟΡΑ) in kWh, which is the number that we need.
22. WILL I NEED TO GO TO A CITIZEN SERVICE CENTER (KEP)?
Not necessarily. It depends on whether you have e-banking. If you don't have one, you will need to register with the National Communication Registry. This will give you the ability to digitally sign and validate documents through www.gov.gr and, consequently, sign the required documents for the application. To register with the National Communication Registry, all you need is a visit to a KEP with your ID. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.
Disclaimer: The text above is a summary of the publication of the " Rooftop Photovoltaics" subsidy scheme guide, with our own interpretation and understanding. Our company is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the above information. For more information, we encourage you to visit the following link from https://ypen.gov.gr/fotovoltaika-sti-stegi where you can download and read the full publication of the guide.
