Austria to sustain small-scale solar PV projects with EUR 20m

• The Austrian government has actually offered even more EUR 20 million (USD 23.5 m) to the Climate and Energy Fund to sustain the installation of solar PV systems of up to 50 kW against the backdrop of strong demand, the Federal Association of Photovoltaics in Austria stated.

The scale-up was urgently required as almost all of the financing for small-scale installments given by the Climate and Energy Fund has been already made use of, causing unpredictability amongst solar PV system designers and operators, claimed the association's head Vera Immitzer. The added funding will certainly help extra small and mid-sized companies as well and individuals to change to renewable energy from solar energy, Immitzer included.

The added financial support is seen as important in making sure trustworthy planning in the market until the new Renewable Expansion Law (EAG), which was passed last month, becomes part of force.

The Climate and Energy Fund supplies one-off aids of between EUR 150 and EUR 250 per kWp for the setup of solar PV systems of as much as 50 kW.

In July, the Austrian parliament voted in favour of the Renewable Expansion Law that establishes the goal of switching over to 100% renewable electricity production by 2030. For this to happen, the Alpine country will make huge investments in capability expansion as it requires an added 27 TWh of electricity generation. The expansion press will concentrate on solar and wind energy as hydropower currently plays a significant duty in the country's energy mix. Solar PV power is predicted to account for 11 TWh, supported largely by the ambitious programme for one million rooftops, while wind energy must create 10 TWh. The remainder is hydro and a little biomass.