In a significant move to bolster renewable energy adoption, Slovenia has unveiled a new financial support initiative designed to enhance investment in solar energy and electricity storage solutions. The program, managed by the market operator Borzen, allocates €30 million in non-repayable funds aimed at facilitating self-consumption solar power plants and associated battery storage systems.
This funding scheme specifically targets solar installations with capacities of up to 1 MW. Applications will commence on May 12, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested parties must submit their applications through Borzen’s online platform, utilizing a qualified digital certificate for verification.
Eligible applicants for this funding include companies, cooperatives, self-employed individuals engaged in commercial activities, and local self-governing communities. However, it is crucial to note that only projects that have received network connection approval after January 1, 2025, and commenced construction thereafter will qualify for financial support. The aid is structured to provide up to €180 per kW of installed capacity and €225 per kWh of battery storage capacity. Overall public funding is capped at 45% of the eligible investment costs, adhering to the de minimis rule that restricts total state aid to €300,000 per entity over a three-year timeframe.
To qualify for the program, installations must be connected under either the PS.3A or PS.3B schemes. The PS.3A model typically caters to rooftop solar systems on commercial buildings and larger self-consumption facilities up to 1 MW, while PS.3B is more suited for community-based projects and shared generation arrangements.
Projects that receive funding are required to become operational within 18 months following the grant decision. After securing network connection, beneficiaries will have a two-month window to submit their payment requests. Additionally, the final installed capacity of funded projects must not deviate by more than 25% from what was approved in the grant decision. Once all necessary documentation is provided, disbursement of funds is anticipated within a 60-day period.
