Republic of Srpska offers households credit to install solar panels

State power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) has invited households to apply for credit for installing rooftop photovoltaic systems. The program aims to enable 50,000 households across the Republic of Srpska to install solar panels and become prosumers.

ERS will finance the purchase and installation of the solar panels, and the prosumer will repay the investment in monthly installments equal to their average monthly electricity bill for the past year, reduced by 10%, unless the customer opts for a higher installment amount.

ERS will finance the purchase and installation of solar panels, and the prosumer will repay the investment in monthly installments

As part of a program aimed at encouraging the development of prosumers, ERS also plans to offer similar support to businesses to install a total of 500 solar power plants.

ERS plans to offer similar support to businesses for a total of 500 solar power plants

Individual power plants in households will have an installed capacity of between 3 kW and 7 kW, and prosumers will be able to supply their electricity surpluses to the grid or withdraw energy if they generate less than they need. Buying additional electricity from ERS at prices applicable at the time of purchase will also be possible.

Prosumers will also be allowed to apply for a higher capacity for their photovoltaic system if they wish to produce more energy than they currently consume and use it, for example, for heating.

Eligible to apply for the program are households that consumed over 3,000 kWh of electricity in the April 2021-March 2022 period and whose house roof faces south, southeast, or southwest.

Montenegro also provides credit for would-be prosumers, while Serbia hands out subsidies

Elsewhere in the region, Montenegrin state-controlled power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) launched two projects last year aimed at helping at least 3,500 households, businesses, and public institutions to install solar power systems and start producing electricity for self-consumption.

In Serbia, would-be prosumers can apply for subsidies covering up to 50% of the investment in photovoltaic systems. The government disburses half of the subsidy amount, while the rest is provided by the local authority where the prosumer is located.