Good news for the approximately 90,700 applicants for the first round of photovoltaic financing: “All applications for private solar power plants can be approved in the first round,” said Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on Thursday. At the same time, the large influx to photovoltaic systems is pushing both the domestic infrastructure and the financing system to its limits. Gewessler sees room for improvement here.
Approximately 100,000 applications were received in the first funding round, with 90 percent for small photovoltaic systems up to 20 kilowatt peak and 10 percent for larger commercial systems. By giving priority to further resources from the climate and energy fund, all subsidy applications from private individuals were honored in the first round. At the same time, all outstanding applications from the previous year that were newly submitted were also approved.
Three more financing rounds for a total of 600 million euros
This means that EUR 323 million in financing has been committed in the first round. A total of 600 million euros is available this year and three more funding rounds are on the agenda. “Every solar power plant replaces dirty electricity from natural gas, with every solar power plant we gain independence, clean air and lower energy costs,” said Gewessler. The goal is to provide Austria with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
Support system due to high demand at the limit
The expansion of solar energy is proceeding at a record pace. “This pace is impressive, but it also poses challenges,” said the minister. The high demand sometimes leads to an overload of the financing system. Gewessler therefore again proposed to abolish VAT on small photovoltaic installations instead. Individuals no longer need to apply. This is currently being discussed with the Minister of Finance.
The ÖVP-led finance ministry had expressed skepticism about the proposal in the past. The reduction in VAT would only benefit producers and would not be passed on to consumers, the argument goes.
Source: Krone
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