GIZ to select firm in Serbia for rooftop solar power plant grant – applications are open

GIZ will assist a selected private company that wants to become a prosumer to prepare the documentation for the installation of a rooftop solar power plant and cover up to EUR 25,000 in expenses.

There is a short deadline for applications for companies in Serbia for a rooftop solar power pilot project. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ is carrying out the selection procedure under the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Serbia project. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is financing the endeavor.

The development agency is looking for one private partner. Firms interested to obtain cofinancing can submit project proposals with the accompanying documentation by August 20. GIZ is implementing its rooftop photovoltaic project in partnership with Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy.

The selected company is set to receive a grant of up to EUR 25,000.

Experience to be used for production of guide for prosumers in corporate sector

The public call for companies was issued after GIZ supported several households in investing in solar panels. It is a source of information for the development of several guides for prosumers (legally defined in Serbia as buyers-producers) including institutions and homeowner communities. The project promotes the concept also through the development and modernization of the legal framework and capacity building for interested groups.

GIZ will prepare proposals to improve the procedure and develop financing models

With the aim to enhance the development of photovoltaic projects in companies, showcase benefits from generating electricity for own needs and to create acceptance of the technology and prosumer approach, the GIZ project, operating within the German Cooperation initiative, is piloting a solar power installation for proving the technical and financial feasibility of prosumer models.

The development agency said it is looking for a company sharing the same values with regard to renewable energy use and that the experience would be used for the preparation of the step-by-step Guideline for Companies – How to become a prosumer? Finished solar systems and the ones under construction won’t be considered.

GIZ said that after the pilot project it would prepare proposals to improve the procedure and develop financing models

Timeline for rooftop solar power pilot project is from September to April

To qualify for the selection process, applicants should send a detailed description of the planned investments and accompanying documents, in the English language, and write why they think their project should be selected for cofinancing.  The timeline for implementation is from September to April.

The application form and selection criteria can be downloaded from the German Cooperation in Serbia website.

Companies need to send the documents by email to Aleksandar Popović, advisor on the project – aleksandar.popovic@giz.de, who can also provide more details, or by post to Žorža Klemansoa 19, IV floor, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia.

Additional points for exporters eligible for EU’s CBAM carbon border tax have priority

The public call is for facilities with a planned capacity between 50 kW and 100 kW. The best-case scenario is a new roof, built or reconstructed in the last 10 years, facing south or southeast and without shadows from nearby objects.

Applicants that plan a solar power plant for a facility with a share of electricity consumption during the day higher than 70% get additional points. The same goes for exporters of products and services that would be affected by the upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), GIZ said. The European Union will start charging a carbon dioxide tax in 2026 on a group of products and electricity from abroad.

Shortly upon the signing of the contract, the selection of the PV plant installer will be conducted, to also serve as a consultant for the development of technical documentation for the turnkey rooftop solar power system, to commission and deliver it.