Portugal launches Support Programme for Social Institutions
The Portuguese government continues its support for the solar thermal sector with an incentive programme for non-profit entities and sports institutions. Announced this June (see link http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1329), it was launched on 19 July and allows the submission of applications until 29 October. Projects selected in the north and middle of the country, as well as in the Alentejo region will receive funding of 70% of the investment costs, whereas the Lisbon area and the Algarve region are only eligible for a 50% subsidy. On 23 July, energy agency ADENE signed an agreement with several commercial banks to administer the funds: BPI, Millennium BCP, BES, Banco Popular, Santander Totta, BANIF, General Atlantic and Montepio Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
Of the originally announced EUR 50 million, the government is providing EUR 21.5 million during the first phase of the programme. Regarding its target group, the new incentive scheme seems to be a continuation of Medida Solar Térmico 2009 II, which was started last September and opened the residential solar thermal programme to Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS). With one exception: Although the new programme still focuses mainly on solar thermal technology, this time the money is also being spent on a large variety of other technologies in the field of renewable energies and energy-efficiency in buildings, such as thermal insulation, biomass boilers for heating and systems producing clean electricity not fed into a grid.
The EUR 21.5 million are provided in addition to the EUR 9.5 million already available to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in implementing energy-saving measures, such as wall or roof insulations, efficient electric lighting and renewable heating and cooling technologies. The tender for the SME scheme runs until 15 October.
| Country / region |
Portugal |
| Name of programme |
Solar Thermal Incentive Scheme |
| Type of incentive |
Rebate |
| Eligible technologies |
Solar thermal installations, thermal insulation, biomass boilers and systems which produce electricity from renewable sources and not feed it into a grid |
| Applicable sectors |
Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS), Sports Centres |
| Amount |
Medium-sized Businesses 40%, Small Companies 45% |
| Further requirements |
Eligible are projects costing between EUR 10,000 and 50,000 |
| Requirements for system |
The system supplier has to be a small or medium enterprise (SME) with less than 250 workers and annual turnover below EUR 50 million |
| Requirements for installation |
The supplier of the solar thermal system must have a qualified expert perform an audit listing the customer’s energy needs. It also has to present an implementation plan and a final certificate after the implementation of the solar thermal system. |
| Finance provider |
Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN) |
| Total funds |
EUR 21.5 million |
| Funding source |
Public funds |
| Effective date |
19 July 2010 |
| Expiration date |
29 October 2010 |
| Website |
http://www.paineissolares.gov.pt/ |
| Last review of this tabloid |
September 2010 |
| Contact |
Ministério da Economia e da Inovação Office of the ministry Chef de Cabinet: Teresa Moreira Rua da Horta Seca, 15 1200- 221 Lisboa Portugal Phone: 21 324 5400 Email: gmei@me.gov.pt |
This article was taken from the Portuguese magazine Climatização, which publishes news and articles about solar thermal technology, HVAC, energy-efficient buildings and geothermal on a bimonthly basis, with six issues a year. Solarthermalworld.org has an agreement with the magazine about sharing international solar thermal news.
More information:
http://www.apisolar.pt
http://www.climatizacao.pt
