Croatia allocates millions for solar power: Could you qualify for more than €17,000?

Croatian households can begin applying for grants to install heat pumps, photovoltaic power plants and battery systems for storing electricity. The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has set aside €38 million for the new public call.

For the first time under this program, battery storage systems receive separate funding. The Fund estimates that about 6,500 systems could be installed through the call.

Applications are limited to individuals who own or co-own a family house. The applicant must have registered residence at the house’s address for at least 30 days before submitting the application. If the property is co-owned by the Republic of Croatia or a local or regional authority, applicants must own or co-own at least 50% of the house’s gross floor area.

The house must already exist and be legally built under a building permit or another appropriate authorization. More than half of its gross floor area must be used for housing, and it may contain no more than three residential units or have a gross building area exceeding 600 square meters. People using at least half of the house’s floor area for business activity cannot receive the funding. Previous funding for the same measures and house must not still be under contract or already paid out.

The heat-pump measure adds an energy certificate requirement. The entire house must hold a valid certificate and reach at least energy class C in continental Croatia or B in coastal Croatia. All three measures cover up to 50% of eligible costs, rising to 70% for households at risk of energy poverty. Maximum recognized costs are €12,500 for a heat pump, €12,000 for a photovoltaic plant and €11,200 for a battery system. That translates into maximum grants of €6,250, €6,000 and €5,600 respectively for ordinary applicants, and €8,750, €8,400 and €7,840 for households at risk of energy poverty.