Demand for renewable energy subsidies in Czechia rises by tens of percent

Interest in renewable energy in Czechia continues to grow, as reflected in the number of subsidy applications. Compared with last year, Czech authorities recorded more than twice as many applications for solar photovoltaics, while applications for solar thermal systems and heat pumps also rose by tens of percent. More than 76.000 applications were submitted in total. The figures come from data provided by the State Environmental Fund and the Chamber of Renewable Energy Sources.

Authorities recorded the strongest demand for subsidies for solar photovoltaics. Applicants submitted nearly 61.000 applications in this category, a year-on-year increase of 109 percent in the first half of the year. According to the Czech Association for Energy Storage and Photovoltaics, demand was boosted by a legislative amendment in January that simplified paperwork and enabled energy sharing in apartment buildings. Further development is being held back, however, by inconsistent approaches among building authorities, the association says. “Building authority officials do not know how to approach the new rules,” said association chairman Aleš Hradecký.