Austria Announces Auction Timeline For Solar Funding

• Austria has launched its 1^st funding round for solar PV and storage systems under EAG for 2023
• Of the €600 million available for 4 calls in 2023, more than €250 million is available for the inaugural round
• Funding rules have been simplified to enable projects under construction for individuals to be eligible to submit applications

The Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) will hold the 1^st solar PV funding call for the current year on March 23 to award over €250 million investment grants for solar PV systems as the country targets to achieve energy independence with renewables.

For this round, the ministry has simplified rules that now allow individuals to apply for the funding even after construction has started on site, however, to avail the funding the system must have been commissioned.

Individuals who apply for a rooftop system with an output of up to 20 kW but do not get selected under the Renewable Energy Sources Expansion Act (EAG), their applications will automatically be forwarded to the climate and energy fund funding channel, stated the ministry. Austria aims for 100% its electricity to come from renewables by 2030 under the EAG.

"More solar power systems were installed in Austria last year than ever before. We are already ahead of plan on the way to the goal of 100% domestic green electricity by 2030. We want to break this record again this year. And I am convinced that with this funding we will succeed," said the country's Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.

In the foreword Gewessler wrote for SolarPower Europe's recent Solar Powers Heat Report, she emphasized the major role solar is having in Europe's energy transition: "We will need much more solar energy to make us independent of fossil energy imports. We need solar energy for our climate as well as for the sovereignty of Europe. Moreover, with the REPowerEU solar installation target, solar power alone will offer over 1 million local jobs in the European Union in 2030. According to Gewessler, Austria installed 1.3 GW PV last year, lifting the country for the first time to an annual GW-scale PV market.

The 1^st funding round to support solar PV and will be held between March 23 to April 6 and applications submitted on EAG processing website.

This €250 million is part of €600 million the government has allocated to be awarded under 4 subsidy calls in 2023 to encourage small PV system installations (see Austria To Shell Out €600 Million As Solar Subsidies In 2023).

Remaining funding out of €600 million will be disbursed under remaining 3 rounds to be held from June 14 to June 28; 3^rd from August 23 to September 6; and October 9, to October 23.