Households in Greece submit 350,000 applications for subsidies for solar water heaters

Results are about to be published for grants for Greek households that submitted a request to replace an electric water heater with a solar thermal collector.

One of the world’s top five countries by solar water heater capacity per capita is about to improve its ranking. The number of applications for a subsidy program in Greece for replacing electric water heaters has topped 350,000, iEnergeia.gr reported.

The scheme covers 50% to 60% of the costs, translating to EUR 510 to EUR 905 per beneficiary, depending on the category. The government earmarked EUR 100 million for the first round of grants with the ambition to select 120,000 households.

Funds must be spent before end-November

The results are scheduled to be published by the end of the month, followed by a complaints process. It expects to start handing out vouchers in July.

The first round of grants is envisaged for 120,000 beneficiaries

Greece has tapped into European funds for the launch of the mechanism. It is obligated to disburse the entire sum by the end of November.

The electric water heaters to be replaced must be functional. Firms authorized for the installation of the solar thermal systems are obligated to recycle the old devices. Only the ones with a capacity of 40 liters or more are eligible.

Rented homes are eligible

The voucher can be used for the purchase and installation of the solar water heater, the removal of the electric device and transportation. As for restrictions, applications from households with an annual income per member of over EUR 30,000 and the ones that already submitted a request for another energy savings incentive scheme will be rejected.

The subsidies are envisaged also for second residences and rented homes, if they are the applicants’ primary residences.

Of note, neighboring Albania started its first program for solar water heater incentives for households late last year.