The new program “Photovoltaics in the Field” is launching immediately, which will result from the restructuring of the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” program and will concern exclusively farmers.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy aims for the earliest possible launch of the new program “Photovoltaics in the Field.” According to ministry sources, the goal is for application submissions from interested farmers to be activated as early as March.
This optimism is based on the fact that the new program will result from the restructuring of “Photovoltaics on Rooftops,” in which, at present, both households and farmers are eligible beneficiaries. This essentially means that the program’s Guide will be compiled very easily, as it will largely incorporate the necessary sections of the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” Guide. In addition, the application submission platform will be developed very quickly, as it will be based on the information system already developed by HEDNO and used for the implementation of the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” program.
Finally, the funds amounting to €30 million that were allocated for the subsidization of agricultural systems through the currently ongoing scheme will be made available via the new program “Photovoltaics in the Field,” exclusively for the support of individual farmers.
The plans for strengthening
According to current measurements, very low participation by farmers has been observed in the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” program. This is mainly attributed to the low maximum capacity limit of subsidized systems (up to 10 kW). For this reason, in the new program the capacity cap will be increased to 50 kW, with priority access to the “reserved quota.”
Another parameter under consideration concerns the subsidy rate. Specifically, what currently applies to agricultural systems is that under the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” program they were subsidized at 40%, regardless of capacity. With the new “Photovoltaics in the Field” program, the Ministry of Environment and Energy is examining the adjustment of this percentage.
One option under consideration is to maintain the 40% subsidy rate, but with the ability to install larger systems and therefore incur higher eligible costs. Alternatively, what is being examined is keeping the 40% rate for smaller systems and gradually reducing this percentage as the capacity of the subsidized system increases. In any case, however, the subsidy rate is not expected to fall below 30%, even for the upper capacity limit (50 kW) of the subsidized photovoltaic systems.
Commitment of electrical “capacity”
A very important parameter of the new “Photovoltaics in the Field” program is that the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN) will ensure that for the subsidized photovoltaic systems there will be available electrical “capacity” on the grid, so that they can be connected.
For this reason, a revision of the capacity reservation quotas at HEDNO substations is imminent, increasing the “locked” capacity for agricultural systems from 3 MW to 6 MW. Thus, for the needs of the program, 1,350 MW of electrical “capacity” will be reserved across the country.
It is reminded that “green” electricity generation is also included in two additional measures to reduce electricity costs for farmers, starting with at least a 30% reduction in electricity prices (compared to current levels), through the signing of 10-year “green” PPAs.
This measure is expected to come into effect within two years, when the “Apollo” program is also scheduled to begin, through which local irrigation organizations (TOEBs and GOEBs) will cover 50% of their energy needs via photovoltaic production with battery storage.
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