Czech state quintupled subsidies for solar and heat pumps last year, paying out CZK 4.9bn

Last year, the state paid out a record roughly CZK 4.9 billion in subsidies for photovoltaic power plants and heat pumps. This was an almost fivefold year-on-year increase in subsidies, which supported nearly 30,000 projects. This is according to data from the State Environmental Fund made available to the Czech News Agency (CTK). Experts say growth will continue this year.

The record amount of subsidies paid out is linked to the number of renewable energy installations in Czechia last year. A total of 33.760 photovoltaic power plants with a combined capacity of 288,8 megawatt (MW) were commissioned last year, a year-on-year increase of 366 percent. The number of heat pumps installed also doubled, with Czechs buying around 60.000 last year.

The state provides most of the funding for these projects through the New Green Savings programme and the so-called Boiler Subsidy programme. Last year, the fund provided CZK 3,9 billion for photovoltaic power plants through these schemes, compared with around CZK 870 million the year before. Around CZK 950 million in subsidies was allocated to heat pumps last year. In 2021, applicants received CZK 120 million.