FAQ

When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the several aspects ( for instance city, area, type of panel etc) but going solar is a smart investment (link drives solar for Business page) regardless of where you live.

Solar power is a renewable energy resource with many environmental and health benefits. Going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change and also results in fewer air pollutants which can cause health problems.

The amount of energy your solar system can produce depends on the amount of sunshine in the area where it is installed. So, for example, your photovoltaic will produce less energy when the weather is cloudy or rainy and no energy at all when night falls in your area. However, due to the high cost of electricity and financial incentives, solar power is a smart decision even if you live in a rainy or cloudy city.

If you can afford the electricity bills of PPC or other providers, then you can also afford to invest in a solar project. Financing options for such projects, including solar loans and solar leases, make it easy for building owners to save money on electricity bills. Speak to one of our experts and he or she will tell you all the available forms of financing that you can utilize.

There are two reasons that ordinary grid-bound solar systems will not work during a grid failure. The first is a technical reason and the second is a safety and regulatory issue. Solar power output varies directly with sunlight levels. So, even if you avoid the need for efficiency, connecting this variable resource directly to your home electrical system will cause your lights to blink, damage your refrigerator, and wreak havoc on your computers and television and it will be dangerous for anyone who comes near your

The easiest way to find out how much you pay for electricity, is to find out first how much electricity you use every 4 months. For that you need to look at your utility clearing electricity bill (delivered by the Greek PPC company to you every four months). There are several charges that go into your energy bill. Your payment is not only for the electricity you consume, but also for other utilities like ERT or ETMEAR. Don’t take this charges into consideration. If you need to know just how much electricity you paid for these four months, remember that electricity is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), so try to find how many kilowatts you consumed during these four months (look at the example with the red arrow). Now check the rest of your electricity bills and calculate the sum of this bills in money and kilowatts for a year.

Studies have shown that solar energy increases property prices. If you have a photovoltaic system on your property, it will be sold at an additional cost and you will need to inform your provider for the change of ownership.  

Net metering is the system that the Greek PPC company uses to credit solar energy system owners for the electricity produced by their solar panels. With net metering, you only pay for the electricity that you use,  beyond what your solar panels can generate. It is also important to remember that the annual energy generated by a net metering solar  system, should not exceed the total annual consumption.

In the Interconnected System (mainland & interconnected islands) the following apply:• The installed power can be: a) up to 20 kW or b) more than 20kW and up to 50% of the agreed power consumption (kVA). Example 1: If the agreed power consumption of the power plant is 35 kVA (supply No 3), the maximum permitted PV power is 20 kW Example 2: If the agreed power consumption of the power plant is 85 kVA (supply No 5), the maximum permitted PV power is 42.5 kW (= 85/2). Special cases: • For single-phase power supply No 0 (8 or 12 kVA), the power of the PV system is limited to 5 kW. • For power supply No. 7 (250 kVA), the power of the PV system is limited to 100 kW. • For legal entities, whether public or private, pursuing public or other public interest purposes, of general or local scope, the power of each PV can be up to 100% of the agreed power consumption. Likewise, in these cases too, the 100 kW maximum PV power limit applies. • Specifically, according to the Ministerial Decision, for the areas of the Peloponnese - part of Evia south of Aliveri - Andros and Tinos, the maximum PV power is currently limited to 20 kW. • At MT facilities the power of a PV system cannot exceed the limit of 500 kW In the Non-Interconnected Islands the following apply: • The installed power may be: a) up to 10 kW except Crete which may be up to 20 kW b) more than 10 kW (or 20kW for Crete) and up to 50% of the agreed power consumption (kVA) ). • Especially for legal entities, whether public or private, pursuing public or other public interest purposes, of general or local scope, the power of the PV system can be up to 100% of the agreed power consumption. • In any case, the maximum power of a PV system may not exceed the limit of 50 kW for Crete and 20 kW for the other non-interconnected Islands. In which areas do the Net Metering PV systems apply and what is the maximum installed power? In the Interconnected System (mainland & interconnected islands) the following apply: • The installed power can be: a) up to 20 kW or b) more than 20kW and up to 50% of the agreed power consumption (kVA). Example 1: If the agreed power consumption of the power plant is 35 kVA (supply No 3), the maximum permitted PV power is 20 kW Example 2: If the agreed power consumption of the power plant is 85 kVA (supply No 5), the maximum permitted PV power is 42.5 kW (= 85/2). Special cases: • For single-phase power supply No 0 (8 or 12 kVA), the power of the PV system is limited to 5 kW. • For power supply No. 7 (250 kVA), the power of the PV system is limited to 100 kW. • For legal entities, whether public or private, pursuing public or other public interest purposes, of general or local scope, the power of each PV can be up to 100% of the agreed power consumption. Likewise, in these cases too, the 100 kW maximum PV power limit applies. • Specifically, according to the Ministerial Decision, for the areas of the Peloponnese - part of Evia south of Aliveri - Andros and Tinos, the maximum PV power is currently limited to 20 kW. • At MT facilities the power of a PV system cannot exceed the limit of 500 kW In the Non-Interconnected Islands the following apply: • The installed power may be: a) up to 10 kW except Crete which may be up to 20 kW b) more than 10 kW (or 20kW for Crete) and up to 50% of the agreed power consumption (kVA) ). • Especially for legal entities, whether public or private, pursuing public or other public interest purposes, of general or local scope, the power of the PV system can be up to 100% of the agreed power consumption. • In any case, the maximum power of a PV system may not exceed the limit of 50 kW for Crete and 20 kW for the other non-interconnected Islands.

Private investors as well as public and private legal entities who either own the premises in which the station is to be installed or have legal use of it (eg by leasing, use free of charge etc) and have secured the written consent of the property owner. In the case of a generating station in a shared or shared building/block of apartments, one or more generating stations may be installed, each corresponding to a single consumption meter. In this case, the owners of the horizontal properties or their legal representative are entitled to the right of establishment after the other co-owners have granted the use of the common or shared space or part of it. The owners of the horizontal properties are represented by the manager for connection to the provision of the shares. A prerequisite is the assent of all co-owners of the building, which must be demonstrated either by a unanimous decision in a general meeting or by written agreement of all co-owners of the building/block of apartments.

The basic terms and conditions for the installation of a net metering solar project are:  - The existence of an active permanent power supply in the name of the solar owner through which the power plant is powered.  - The solar project is assigned only to a consumption meter, that is to say to the meter of the power plant it supplies. - The solar project is installed in the same or adjacent area as the power plant to which it is assigned. - The owner of the solar project has all legal rights of the station's installation area. - The owner of the solar project has fully paid his/her electricity bills to his supplier or has entered into a debt settlement scheme. - The supply of the solar project has not been included in the Environmental Household Invoice(ΥΑ υπ’ αριθμ. ΥΠΕΝ/ΥΠΡΓ/26359/4101 - ΦΕΚ Β’ 1936/30.5.2018).  If it has, then is automatically deprived of it by activating the power plant.

Net metering solar systems can be installed on buildings or on the ground or other constructions, such as farms, warehouses, livestock farms, etc. The systems are installed in the same location as the power supply plants or in a neighboring area. It is noted that from May 2017, remote net metering is permitted to private and public entities for public benefit purposes, as well as for professional farmers. Net metering will soon be allowed for both private investors and legal entities. The implementation of remote net metering will greatly help the Greek property owners living in an area, while owning property in another area with unlimited space.   How does the energy absorbed by the grid actually is offset by the energy injected into the grid? The energy clearing is carried out by the Vendor with whom the self-generator (solar owner) is contracted, that is, the Vendor representing the consumption facility, based on the actual metering data provided by the Network Operator. Therefore, the offsetting is carried out on each clearing account issued by the Supplier, with final clearance on the first clearing account issued after three years of switching off the station. The procedure is repeated every three years until the expiry of the Energy Netting Contract. It is noted, as shown in the example below, that the final difference of 100 kWh from the three-year set-off (since the station's total annual output was 15,600 kWh and total actual consumption 15500 kWh) is not further carried forward and is not compensated ( it is lost for the solar owner).

Incremental power applications for photovoltaic installations that have submitted an initial request without an intermediate connection offer,  are considered as new requests and are being considered in the order in which the increase request was submitted. Power increase requests for solar stations for which a connection offer has been issued and are in force, are considered as new requests. That is, they are considered in the order of increase request, and a new connection offer is issued for the new total power if available, with cancellation of the original offer, otherwise this shall remain valid.  Power generation requests after connection activation will be possible, at the same voltage level, after submitting a new request, granting a new Connection Offer and paying the associated cost. In these cases, there will be a new amendment for the Connection and Netting Agreements of your solar plant.

The size of your solar system will depend on how much electricity you consume on a monthly basis, as well as the weather conditions in the area where your property is located. Refer to your previous electricity bills from your PPC company (or other provider) and compare them with offers from authorized solar installers to determine the size of the photovoltaic system that fits your needs. 

Each building has its own peculiarities. For this reason, an autopsy and on-site evaluation are required. More generally, the practices applied to the energy upgrading of buildings (industrial-craft units, hotels, residences, cottages, etc.) are as follows: Interventions / repairs in the shell of the building

• installation of thermal insulation in the shell of the building
• roof insulation and thermal insulation
• installation of thermal insulation frames (frame, glazing)
• installation of thermal insulation rolls
• sun protection equipment - permanent outdoor shades

Use of electromechanical equipment

• replacement of old boiler / boiler system with new high efficiency or heat pump
• installation of heat recovery units
• installation of energy fireplace
• installation of thermostatic control systems (eg thermostats)
• Upgrading of existing lighting system
• Replacing old appliances with high energy efficient appliances

  Use of RES (Renewable Energy Sources)

• installation of photovoltaic system for self-generation with net metering
• installation of solar water heaters for hot water use

Indicatively, below you can find some official statistics demonstrating the benefits of energy upgrading:

Image  1. Energy consumption of Greek households.(Source: cres.gr)

 

Image 2: Energy consumption of Greek households.(Source: cres.gr)

 

Image 3: Energy savings by using double glazing in 4 different climate zones in Greece.(Source: cres.gr)

 

Εικόνα 4: Comparative Energy Update Scoreboard in Athens-Larissa. IRR Results (Source.citybranding.gr )

From time to time the Greek state announces programs that you can join (various NSRF programs for businesses, "Save home" program for individuals, etc.) But even if there is no government program in place, there are other bank financing programs, with favorable terms for energy upgrades that can be utilized by small and micro businesses (with a turnover of up to € 2.5m) wishing to invest in energy upgrades. of their business real estate.

The Energy Performance Certificate (PEA)  is a document recognized by the Ministry of Energy, issued by an Energy Inspector (incorporated in a Special Registry), which reflects the energy performance of the building. Each building is classified as energy-efficient by the PEA (there are nine categories, from A + to H), while the Inspector also records recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building. The PEA certificate is required for all buildings with a total surface area of ​​more than 50 sqm (houses, cottages, offices, commercial real estate, etc.) that meet at least one of the following 3 conditions:

• They are buildings that have been completed or renovated.
• Properties purchased or rented to a new owner (building, apartment, shop etc.)
• Properties that their owners have entered into a new lease. It is important to clarify that this obligation does not apply to renewals of existing contracts).

The issuance of PEA is also mandatory for the inclusion of residential buildings in the program "Home Savings".

The PEA is valid for 10 years from its issuance and there is no obligation to reissue it for contracts to be concluded within 10 years (unless the property is radically renovated). More about PEA here

In case of several beneficiaries, the application is submitted by one of the beneficiaries who has the right to participate, following the consent of the others. One of the 7 beneficiaries of tangible rights eligible to participate may apply for one of the 7 categories of incentive program. This beneficiary must meet the income criteria of the respective category.  The applicant beneficiary is responsible for securing the above consent in the context of the statement in Annex V-A to the Guide. With regard to the co-ownership rate, there is no restriction on what percentage of ownership the applicant should have. The grant category for this particular apartment, which has more rights in rem, derives from the grant category of the owner applying (regardless of whether the other co-owners of the apartment belong to other grant categories). For example, if the owner belongs to grant category 1, then the apartment will belong to subsidy class 1, while if the other owner belongs to subsidy class 2, then the apartment will belong to subsidy class 2.