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Funding aid:
The number of countries promoting and funding solar power on a grand scale
is increasing.
These measures are satisfying the growing demand from populations to make
a positive contribution in the issue of climate change.
With its role model Renewable Energies Law, Germany has already encouraged
some countries to follow suit.
Despite the fact that the situation regarding aid for solar energy is still
in its infancy in some countries, the success of this inexhaustible energy
source is unstoppable.
A tangible improvement is also expected for Switzerland and Austria in this
sector in the near future, simply by the fact that the latest EU rulings,
to increase to 20% the quota of renewable energies by the year 2010, will
have unavoidable ramifications for the energy policy of individual countries.
| Switzerland: |
Cost-covering allowance for solar power
March 17th 2008 saw the Bundesrat approve the Energy Order. It
includes the cost-covering allowance for power from renewable energies.
This becomes effective on January 1st 2009. It is financed from a
surcharge on every Kilowatt-hour of electricity sold from max. 0.6
Rp., corresponding to CHF320m annually.
For photovoltaics, lawmakers have defined a complicated capping mechanism
where an initial 5% of the CHF320m, i.e. CHF16m annually, is provided.
This applies as long as initial photovoltaic costs lie 50 Rp. or more
above the average electricity price of approx. 8 Rp. This 5% is increased
incrementally with sinking initial photovoltaic costs to 10%/20% of
the total of CHF320m.
At today's pricing level in Switzerland, solar power systems rated
at approx. 25 Megawatt (MW) can be built and operated break-even in
the first category of 5%. As a comparison, the power rating of newly
commissioned systems in 2006 was approx. 2.5MW. The Federal Office
for Energy allocates annual quotas. For existing plants, or those
in an advanced planning stage, the quota is approx. 10MW. For new
plants, this figure is 4MW from 01.05.08.
Permitted under the new ruling are all systems that started operation
after January 1st 2006 and that meet the criteria of the Order, but
only within the framework of available funding (see
revised Energy Law, Article 7a, Paragraph 2, Section d). From
May 1st 2008 onwards, systems can be registered with Swissgrid. |
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| Liechtenstein: |
Financing:
Two elements make up the subsidy for photovoltaic systems:
» Electrical rating investment amount in consideration of the
electrical rating.
» Electricity allowance purchase contract with a certain term
during which the purchase of and allowance for the amount of electricity
fed in from renewable energies is guaranteed.
Funding amount:
» Electrical rating CHF2500 per kWp for system from 1 to maximum
40 Kilowatt kWp. Classed as "other systems", systems rated
above 40 Kilowatt can be funded with up to CHF200,000.
» Electricity allowance CHF 0.55 per kWh over ten years. |
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| Austria: |
Because of the various amendments over recent months
and an impending election, the Green Electricity Law has been adapted
(not optimised) and is expected to come into force on 01.01.2009.
The key points of this law:
An annual funding volume of €17m is available for all energy
sources. Photovoltaics and other green electricity systems are to
receive 10% of the funding volume. The funding program is to run over
10 years (constant) plus 2 years declining funding. After the funding
period, there is an obligation to purchase (13 years) for all green
electricity systems.
What does that mean in practise for photovoltaics?
The 15MW cap has been lifted. The assumption that 8% of this 10%
is definitely available for photovoltaic yields an annual funding
amount from central government and the states of approx. €1.36m.
For an assumed feed tariff of €0.45, approx. 3.3 MWp can be
installed and financed with this €1.36m.
With the amendment decided upon, however, we will success in having
photovoltaic systems with an installed rating of approx. 5 MWp connected
to the grid over the next 18 months.
In addition, a further amendment is expected within the next 2 years
due to the many weaknesses in the law.
It also has to be mentioned that different states grant different
funding. Further information: www.bv-pv.at |
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| Germany: |
The German "REL" provides the following allowances for PV systems:
Feed allowance for 2009
» to 30kW (building): 43.01 € cent/kWh
» 30-100kW (building): 40.91 € cent/kWh
» 100-1000kW (building): 39.58 € cent/kWh
» from 1MW (building): 33.00 € cent/kWh
» open spaces: 31.94 € cent/kWh
The allowance is paid over 20 years. |
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| Italy: |
The "Conto Energia" provides the following allowances for PV systems:
COMPLETE BUILDING INTEGRATION (PV system is an integral part of
the building):
» to 3 kWp: 49.00 € cent/kWh
» 3-20 kWp: 46.00 € cent/kWh
» from 20 kWp: 44.00 € cent/kWh
PARTIAL BUILDING INTEGRATION (PV system does NOT project beyond edge
of building):
» to 3 kWp: 44.00 € cent/kWh
» 3-20 kWp: 42.00 € cent/kWh
» from 20 kWp: 40.00 € cent/kWh
NOT INTEGRATED (PV system, e.g. on open space or elevated beyond roof
parapet):
» to 3 kWp: 40.00 € cent/kWh
» 3-20 kWp: 38.00 € cent/kWh
» from 20 kWp: 36.00 € cent/kWh
The allowance is paid over 20 years. The allowance rates stated here
apply for 2007 and 2008.
An adjustment will be made in 2009.
Besides selling the entire amount of electricity, there is an option
for systems rated at max. 20kWp to use the electricity yourself and
still receive an allowance for it (the so-called "Scambio sul
posto"). |
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| Spain: |
The old feed allowance expires on 30.09.2008. The new
draft law is currently under appraisal. |
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