Croatia Doubles Solar Funding Amidst High Demand

The news in Croatian

1. zaštita  (f.)
   čin ili sredstvo koje čuva nešto od oštećenja ↩︎
2. energetski
   koji se odnosi na energiju ↩︎
3. otvoriti
   napraviti nešto slobodnim za prolaz ili pristup ↩︎
4. prijava  (f.)
   postupak ili čin prijavljivanja za nešto ↩︎
5. povećati
   učiniti nešto većim u veličini, količini ili broju ↩︎
6. pokrivati
   osigurati zaštitu ili pokroviteljstvo nečega troškovima ili sredstvima ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is the maximum percentage of costs the program will cover for solar panel installation?

Question 2: How can people apply for the solar funding program?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
zaštita  (f.)	protection
energetski	energy
otvoriti	open
prijava  (f.)	application
povećati	increase
pokrivati	cover

Read the full story

The Croatian Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency has reopened its call for applications to subsidise the installation of solar power plants on family homes. This move comes in response to burgeoning interest, doubling the available funding to €20.5 million.

Originally launched in September, the programme had an initial budget of €10 million. However, the unexpected level of public interest prompted the fund to temporarily close the programme and reassess the available finances. The augmented budget aims to meet the demand from individuals keen on producing their own renewable energy.

Funding is designated for the installation of photovoltaic systems on existing house roofs or auxiliary buildings for personal energy needs. Eligible applicants are exclusively homeowners or co-owners with registered residence at the location where the solar plant is operational. The subsidy covers up to 50% of the eligible costs, with a cap of €600 per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity.

The programme is open to systems installed and activated from January 1st of the current year onwards. As of now, there have been over 5,100 applications, highlighting the Croatian public’s increasing interest in green energy. This heightened interest aligns with the nation’s broader aims for environmental sustainability and energy transition.

In addition to the current programme, a further announcement has been made for an upcoming call on 17th October, allocating an additional €7.5 million. This will cater to those who installed photovoltaic systems during the year 2024. Interested parties can apply for support retrospectively, provided they fulfilled all the stipulated conditions.

All submissions must be conducted electronically through the eFZOEU system, utilizing the National Identification and Authentication System (NIAS). Application submission can also be facilitated by a proxy, provided proper authorisation is obtained from a notary public.

The collaborative effort between the Fund, the Ministry of Environment and Green Transition, and the Ministry of Economy has been recognised as one of the most effective national models for fostering household energy transition. Through this initiative, the Fund aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy independence, lower household expenses, and contribute to national renewable energy goals.

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