Czech Industry Ministry to raise corporate solar subsidies by one billion to three billion crowns

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) will increase subsidies for domestic companies to install solar power plants by one billion to three billion crowns. It is responding to strong interest from businesses in the support scheme. The subsidies are intended to strengthen companies’ energy self-sufficiency. The MPO announced this today.

„Business interest in our support programme has exceeded all expectations,” said Industry and Trade Minister Lukáš Vlček (STAN). „Although we already increased the allocation to a total of two billion crowns this February, applications received have already exceeded this amount and it would have been necessary to close the call.

We have therefore decided to increase the allocation to three billion crowns so that businesses have sufficient time to prepare projects and submit applications to the National Development Bank,” the minister noted.

According to the ministry, the subsidies are primarily intended to support standalone photovoltaic projects with a capacity of up to 50 kilowatt-peak (kWp) on business premises. Companies can also use the loans for battery electricity storage systems.

Under the support scheme, companies can use interest-free loans with a subsidy component from the National Development Bank (NRB). The authority launched the first subsidy call last summer. It had originally envisaged accepting applications until the end of 2027 or until the allocated funds were exhausted. This has now happened, however, and the MPO has therefore decided to increase the subsidies.

So far, 128 preferential loan agreements have been concluded, with a total installed capacity of 4864 kWp, aimed at supporting energy generation from renewable sources.

„We are seeking to speed up the demanding approval process as much as possible. On the other hand, we must carefully assess every application, both with regard to the submission of all required documentation and to credit risk considerations, as any other bank does. Given the strong interest, increasing the financial resources in this programme is the right step,” added Michal Nebeský, an NRB board member responsible for business management.

Large solar power plants have begun to increase more markedly in Czechia in recent months. Last year, 44.593 new photovoltaic installations were commissioned in the country, which is 38.106 fewer year on year, but installed capacity of 967 megawatts (MW) was the same as in the record year of 2023. This is because large-scale and commercial sources have begun to dominate in terms of capacity.