The new subsidized program for residential rooftop solar is here and MP-Energy has the answers to all your questions
Since September 2022 (and the Prime Minister’s announcements at the TIF), the PV market and stakeholders have been eagerly awaiting the new subsidized scheme for residential rooftop PV, which is expected to significantly ease the household budget.
Yesterday (2-3-2023) the application platform was opened, while a few days ago the pre-publication of the expected program guide was announced by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, making us wiser about the terms, conditions and the process for the long-awaited subsidy for residential photovoltaics.
Electricity Cost: The Problem
It is a fact that in recent years one of the main problems that concerns households (according to recent polls) is the ever-increasing cost of energy. It is enough to remember that in 2021 the cost of electricity in Greece ranged from 0.06 to 0.09 cents for each kilowatt hour. In 2022 it rose rapidly to 0.70-0.90 cents (tenfolding the cost) for each kilowatt-hour, while in early 2023 it seems to stabilize somewhere near 0.15-0.25 cents.
Most households have done everything possible to reduce energy consumption (reducing needs, replacing light bulbs and energy-consuming appliances, installing solar water heaters, insulating houses etc.).
Photovoltaics: The Solution
Photovoltaics come to provide the solution to the universal zeroing of energy costs for a residence.
There are several types of photovoltaic systems. The two main categories are stand-alone photovoltaics and interconnected ones. Autonomous photovoltaics provide electricity to houses that have no connection to the public grid, while interconnected photovoltaics usually refer to houses with a connection to the grid.
In the previous two decades, interconnected photovoltaic tariffs were widespread, with which the owner sold all the energy produced, receiving a compensation (tariff) for each injected kilowatt-hour.
In recent years, in Europe as well as in our country, self-generation systems (Net Metering) have been developing rapidly, in which the energy produced is offset against the energy consumed, reducing the cost of electricity bills. In these systems, the Network works like a big battery, storing surplus energy when the house does not need it (eg morning-noon when everyone is away or eg August when we are on holiday) and returning it when the house needs it and the sunshine is not enough (nights, winter).
Energy Injection: The Problem
As self-production (net metering) photovoltaic systems multiply (along with photovoltaics on agricultural plots), the produced solar energy that is channeled (injected) into the Grid is so great that there is no possibility of making it available to consumers.
However, based on the Offsetting contract signed by the Self-producer, when he requests back the injected energy, the Network will have to make it available. As this is done mainly during night hours or in winter the Network Operator is forced to consume lignite (at a high cost due to pollutants), natural gas (in short supply and at a high cost after the war in Ukraine) or to make high cost imports.
Photovoltaics Self-produced Net Metering with battery: The Solution
The above problem is solved by photovoltaic net metering systems with a battery. These systems work like simple offsetting photovoltaics without a battery, with the difference that, after meeting the direct needs of the consumer, they give priority to charging a battery before giving the surplus to the grid.
Conversely, when there is no sunshine, before the house receives energy from the grid, it first discharges the battery. In this way, not only is the energy injected into the grid reduced during surplus hours, but also the energy demand from the grid is reduced when there is no solar energy.
The addition of the battery reduces the problems of the Grid from the injected energy and also the cost of transporting electricity to the consumer, but at the same time it increases (almost doubles) the cost of the photovoltaic system.
The Grant: Terms and Conditions
The solution to the problem of doubling the cost due to the addition of the battery is to be provided by the Ministry of Energy with the new subsidized program “Photovoltaics on the roof”.
The Program concerns Photovoltaic Offsetting (Self-Generation – Net Metering) WITH battery and Only for main or secondary residences. The Program does not apply to autonomous photovoltaic systems (for houses without connection to PPC) and does not apply to foreign residents.
It is required that the residence is interconnected with the Network and the Connection Agreement procedure with DEDDIE must have preceded (it is done electronically and lasts 15 days). The Interested party must have taxisnet codes and an active VAT number.
The subsidy covers systems up to 10.8kwp with a 10.8kwh battery. The battery should be equal to or greater than the photovoltaic (for example if one puts a 4kwp photovoltaic the battery should be more than 4kwh). Homes with single-phase supply can install up to 5kwp photovoltaics (with a single-phase inverter mandatory), while three-phase homes up to 10.8kwp but with a three-phase inverter.
Beneficiaries are divided into 3 categories. The A category with the highest subsidy rates, which includes vulnerable households with a social tariff, and categories B and C depending on the individual (below and above €20,000) or family income (below and above €40,000).
The table below shows the maximum subsidy amounts that a beneficiary can receive:
The above amounts include VAT, which is an eligible expense (in addition to photovoltaics, batteries, bases, electrical materials and installation).
The procedure for licensing and subsidy is simple, it is done electronically and the basic prerequisites are (in addition to what has been mentioned) the legality of the building (building permit or arrangement), the legal use of the installation space (ownership, exclusive use or written consent by co-owners).
What to watch out for
As with all technological products, “you get what you pay for”! The interested party should pay attention to the origin of the equipment, its quality and reliability (guarantees) as well as the time it has been on the market (both of the company that will install them and of the manufacturer of the equipment).
PV on buildings is not the same as PV on land. Until recently, installation companies specializing in buildings could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Understandably, the high demand will bring many to the area of ​​unknown origin and abilities (as it happened in 2012 and after that 95% of them disappeared).
Emphasize the company you will be working with. Try to confirm its long-term presence in the area and the reliability of the materials it uses. Suffice it to say that a 5kwh battery can cost from €2,500 to €5,500 or a 5kw inverter for example from €700 to €2,000. It is clear that the differences are chaotic but critical to the reliability, safety and longevity of the system.
Do not forget that the battery should (from the Program) work for at least 5 years. If, for example, your battery breaks in 4 years and the company you have chosen has closed while the battery company does not respect its guarantees then you will have to pay €5,000 losing any profit you had made until then…
Examples
An average Greek house is single-phase with a consumption of 5-7000kwh per year. To reduce consumption to zero, a 4-5kwp photovoltaic with a 5kwh battery is needed at a cost of €13-15,000. The maximum subsidy for category B is €7-8000. If we assume an average kilowatt-hour cost of 0.15 minutes, this photovoltaic will reduce the household bills by €750-1000 over time, amortizing the cost in less than 7-8 years.
Analogously, an energy-intensive Greek house is three-phase with a consumption of 12-15000kwh per year. To reduce the consumption to zero, you need a photovoltaic 8-10kwp with a 10kwh battery at a cost of €23-25,000. The maximum subsidy for category C is €10-11000. If we assume an average kilowatt-hour cost of 0.15 minutes, this photovoltaic will reduce the household bills by 1800-2250€ over time, amortizing the cost in less than 6-7 years.
Conclusion
Energy costs have risen dramatically, threatening the financial stability of Greek households. In the land of endless sunshine, however, the solution is photovoltaic systems. Coupled with the subsidy launched the technology is affordable for every family and will essentially help in zero electricity bills.
Article by Mr. Michael Nik. Petsiou, Ph.D. NTUA, Dipl. Electrical Engineering General Manager of MP-Energy
https://www.mp-energy.gr
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
