Austria’s Climate and Energy Fund has launched the final round of its popular solar-plus-storage rebate program, offering a final pool of €8 million (approx. $8.7 million) to support residential PV systems and energy storage projects. This concluding phase introduces a significant new incentive: a 10% “Made in Europe” bonus, aiming to bolster the continent’s domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Rebate Program Details for Austria solar storage rebate
Managed by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund and co-funded by the federal government and electricity companies, the program is designed to accelerate the adoption of rooftop PV and battery storage in the residential sector.
The final rebate round, which opened on April 23, is set to close on September 30, 2024. Residential PV systems with a capacity of up to 20 kW and energy storage systems ranging from 0.5 kWh to 50 kWh are eligible for this funding.
The base rebate covers €150 per kW of installed solar capacity and €100 per kWh of storage capacity. The maximum financial support for a single storage system is capped at €50,000.
A key enhancement in this final round is the introduction of a 10% “Made in Europe” bonus. Homeowners who choose solar modules, inverters, or storage systems from European manufacturers will receive this additional incentive. This policy directly supports the local solar panel manufacturing process and is a significant development for the entire region. For consumers, understanding the basics of solar panel manufacturing can provide a deeper appreciation for the quality and strategic importance of locally sourced components. This move is particularly relevant for homeowners in neighboring Germany, as it signals a growing policy trend towards strengthening the European renewable energy supply chain.
Previous Rounds and Allocations for Austria solar storage rebate
The program has a strong track record of success. The first round, which concluded in July, allocated €22 million ($24 million) for PV projects and €11 million ($12 million) for storage systems. This funding spurred the installation of 11,000 new PV systems and 6,400 storage units.
The second round closed in February, distributing €15 million ($16 million) for solar panels and €7 million ($8 million) for battery projects. It successfully supported an additional 8,500 new PV systems and 4,300 storage systems.
Overall Program Impact of Austria solar storage rebate
Across its three rounds, the rebate program has allocated a total of €50 million ($54 million) for residential PV systems and €26 million ($28 million) for energy storage. This substantial investment has directly resulted in the installation of 26,000 PV systems and 14,000 storage systems, empowering thousands of Austrian households to generate and store their own clean energy.
This initiative is a cornerstone of Austria’s strategy to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets. The country aims to install 11 GW of new PV capacity by 2030, adding approximately 1 GW each year. In 2023, Austria successfully installed 1.06 GW of new solar capacity, bringing its cumulative total to 5.7 GW.
Austria’s Renewable Energy Goals with solar storage rebate
The residential rebate program is part of a broader, multi-faceted approach. To complement the support for smaller systems, Austria has also implemented an auction scheme for large-scale PV projects. The most recent auction in March 2024 allocated 300 MW of new utility-scale solar capacity at a competitive average price of €0.074 ($0.081) per kWh.
This dual focus on residential and utility-scale solar is a trend seen across the continent, as highlighted in the latest Global Solar Report. Austria’s approach of combining direct rebates and large-scale auctions mirrors successful strategies in neighboring countries like Slovakia, which has also stimulated its market through various rebate programs.
These national efforts are crucial components of the wider European Union mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The EU has set an ambitious target of sourcing 40% of its energy from renewables by 2030, with solar power identified as a key pillar in achieving this goal.
For those inspired by these developments and looking to deepen their understanding of solar technology, from core components to complete systems, you may want to explore our free e-course.
