For a few years now, solar panel installations have become a great option for many people who want to consume their own energy thanks to the renewable sources we have available.
Did you know that there are subsidies and aid for those individuals and companies that opt for renewable energy? From PROT Energía we will explain what you need to know to apply for them, and the different types of subsidies that exist.
By installing solar panels, you will be using photovoltaic solar energy, which comes from the unlimited source of energy emitted by the sun. Solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy.
Who can apply for subsidies to install solar panels in homes?
Next, we will explain who can apply for subsidies and what you must do to process them. The subsidies to carry out photovoltaic installation in homes are intended for all those people who want to self-consume part or all of their energy in their home. In this way, both single-family homes and neighbourhood communities will be able to apply for subsidies.
In order to process this application, you must go to the town hall, where you are informed of each of the subsidies and their value. Once you arrive, you will need to fill out the corresponding forms and return them to the town hall.
Through this type of subsidies, the aim is to promote the implementation of renewable energy in homes, thus offering direct savings on the investment of solar panels. In this way, the aim is to promote Self-consumption facilities and improve energy-efficiency.
Who can apply for subsidies to install solar panels in companies?
Businesses can also receive subsidies to install solar energy. Generally, the only requirements to do so are to be up-to-date with tax obligations and to prove solvency to execute the installation that is the subject of the subsidy.
However, sometimes the requirements can be extended depending on the origin of the subsidy, which may be with funds from the European Union, Spain, the Autonomous Community or a local entity – City Council, Provincial Council, etc.
Why do these subsidies exist? Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of December 11, 2018, on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, modifies and adapts the changes made to Directive 2009/28/EC, of the European Parliament and of the Council, of April 23, 2009, regarding to the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC.
Article 3 dictates that Member States shall jointly ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources is at least 32% of the EU’s gross final energy consumption in 2030.
On the other hand, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, of the European Parliament and of the Council, of December 11, 2018, on the governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action establishes the obligation for all Member States to prepare an Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 (PNIEC).
The Spanish PNIEC includes among the energy objectives, achieving a presence of renewable energies in the final use of energy of 42% by 2030, where the production of electrical energy from renewable energy sources must represent 74% of electrical generation, leading to a significant reduction in the level of CO2 emissions and favouring the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Types of solar energy subsidies
Because of the renewable objectives set by the European Union, there is a wide variety of subsidies to cover all the needs of the population in relation to renewable energies.
Although there are numerous subsidies, we can divide them and categorise the aid into 2 fundamental types:
Subsidies on the price of the installation: This first type of subsidy is made up of aid that is granted on the total price of the installation of the solar panels.
These types of subsidies are not always present, they may appear during the year, since they are normally established based on the management and budget of each Autonomous Community. And sometimes these are joint subsidies with the European Union.
Subsidies on State taxes: Unlike the first type of subsidy mentioned, these are granted at the municipal level and are applied to the Real Estate Tax (IBI) and the Tax on Constructions, Installations and Works (ICIO). This type of aid depends on each City Council, and they usually provide a 50% discount on the IBI for 3 years.50%. Normally, they only apply to homes, but in some towns they also include businesses.
Requirements to request aid for the installation of photovoltaic panels
As we have mentioned previously, subsidies for the installation of photovoltaic panels are intended for all those people or companies that want to self-consume energy. Even so, a series of requirements must be met that are important to take into account:
The first necessary requirement to be able to apply for aid and receive it is to have the necessary budget to be able to carry out the installation.
Also, it is important not to have requested any previous subsidy since the vast majority of subsidies are not cumulative and in addition, only a single subsidy and installation per home or company is allowed.
The subsidy applicant must also be the homeowner, the president of the community or the manager of the company.
As we have mentioned, you can only request a subsidy or aid for a single home or business.
And finally, the necessary maximum and minimum requirements must be met, for example for the installed photovoltaic power.
Subsidies and aid from the Community of Catalonia
As we have commented throughout this article, subsidies vary depending on the Autonomous Community. It is for this reason that below, we will comment only on the subsidies and aid from the Community of Catalonia.
It is important to highlight that the Community of Catalonia is one of the communities that has offered the most support and therefore has offered the most subsidies and aid to promote the installation of solar panels throughout the territory.
For IBI bonuses, the ICAEN (Catalan Energy Institute) publishes data on the municipalities that offer this type of aid.
Regarding direct subsidies for the installation, in Catalonia there is currently only aid for large installations of between 100 and 500 kW of installed power, and the total amount is €1,250,000. All the information can be found at this ICAEN link http://icaen.gencat.cat/es/energia/ajuts/energias-renovables/idae-ayudas-a-la-generacion-de-energia-renovable-termica-y -electrical/
If after reading this article you need information about solar panels for homes or their installation, do not hesitate to contact us or request a quote, we would be happy to help!
