Call for co-financing rooftop PV systems on individuals’ buildings in Croatia

Croatia’s Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU) has invited applications for a total of HRK 20 million (EUR 2.7 million) in funding to back the installation of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems on individuals’ buildings.

The public call covers PV systems connected to the grid, as well as off-grid PV systems. Homeowners can receive up to 40%, 60% or 80% of the procurement and supervision costs, but no more than HRK 75,000 (about EUR 10,131), the fund said in a press release.

Subsidies of up to 80% can be received by households in the area of ​​special state aid and in the first group of islands, up to 60% in the mountainous areas and in the second group of islands, and up to 40% in all other areas of the country.

The recent change in the legal framework has made it easier to carry out projects to generate electricity from renewable energy sources, while the ultimate goal is to increase the use of renewables through a series of measures.

The aim of the program is to enable consumers to produce their own energy and to become energy independent, said FZOEU Director Dubravko Ponoš, adding that the number of rooftop PV systems in Croatia is currently very low.

According to Ponoš, co-financing provided by the fund cuts the time needed to obtain a return on investment, which is still high but is well worth in the long run.

Co-financing applies only to owners and co-owners of the legal individuals’ buildings, in which more than 50% of the space is intended for housing, and have a maximum of three residential units or a gross building area of ​​up to 600 square meters.

The funding will be granted in the order of application receipt until the planned funds are used up or until the end of the year.