Romania's 'Green Home Batteries' Program Launched for Consultation, Offering Up to 15,000 Lei for Solar Storage

Romania is taking a significant step to enhance its energy independence with the launch of the "Casa Verde baterii" (Green Home Batteries) program. The Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests has initiated public consultations for a new funding scheme designed to support the installation of battery storage systems for photovoltaic energy.

The program boasts a substantial budget of 400 million lei and is accessible to individual prosumers. Crucially, eligibility is not tied to whether the photovoltaic panels were installed through previous government programs or self-funded. This inclusive approach aims to broaden participation and maximize the benefits of solar energy.

With a maximum funding of 15,000 lei per system, including VAT, the initiative requires beneficiaries to contribute at least 25% of the eligible investment cost. The core objective is to enable the efficient storage of solar energy generated during daylight hours. This stored energy can then be utilized during peak evening consumption periods, a time when solar production naturally declines and Romania often relies on energy imports.

Diana Buzoianu, the Minister of Environment, emphasized that investing in storage is the logical progression after years of investment in solar panel production. "The natural step is to invest now in storage, so that the energy produced during the day can be used by prosumers in the evening, when consumption is higher and Romania ends up importing energy," she stated. The program also aims to reduce the need for peak-hour energy imports and alleviate pressure on the national energy system.