The Environment Fund Administration (AFM) in Romania says it has shortlisted a total of 12,718 applications to distribute funding under the country's Casa Verde Fotovoltaice or National Green House Photovoltaic Program. These applicants stand to win a total of RON 252 million ($58.5 million) in round 1 of the scheme that encourages the installation of solar for residential segment.
The entire Casa Verde Fotovoltaice has a budget of RON 536 million ($124.5 million) and is part of the Regional Operational Programme (ROP) 2014-2020.
The grants covers up to 90% of capital expenses, not exceeding RON 20,000 ($4,648) for the solar system installed having a minimum capacity of 3 kW.
"The Green House of Photovoltaics is a program that has generated a huge interest among Romanians, as evidenced by the extremely large number of applications. Because the funds allocated to finance the program have not been exhausted, together with Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, we will launch a new round in the autumn of 2020," said AFM President Andreea Kohalmi-Szabo.
AFM said it will further simplify the process of applying for the grant as several applications had to be rejected for a number of issues. It will also expand the list of approved installers.
Balkan Green Energy News reported that the government was criticized by Greenpeace Romania for not having installed any rooftop solar systems since January 2019 when the program was first launched. The activist NGO claimed more than 200 installers certified under the Casa Verde Fotovoltaice now face economic difficulties for not being able to use the equipment they purchased for deployment under the program, it added.