Residents of apartment buildings in Latvia were promised European aid for installing solar panels on rooftops to save on electricity bills.
The Ministry of Climate and Energy (MCE) has announced a new support program that the government plans to approve by the end of the year. Who can apply for it?
This concerns the installation of solar panels with batteries on the roof of the building to reduce electricity costs consumed for common needs – for example, lighting stairwells and areas around the building.
The total available funding is €26.8 million under the Modernization Fund. Funding will be provided in the form of grants. Applications can be submitted by:
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authorized representatives of apartment building owners,
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managers or administrators of buildings,
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associations of apartment owners,
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energy communities,
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municipalities, state institutions.
Support will be provided for the purchase of equipment for electricity and thermal energy production – solar panels (including batteries), heat pumps, and solar collectors, as well as for the construction of necessary infrastructure related to their operation and the preparation of technical documentation. The amount of funding will depend on the type of applicant.
The total funding will be:
– for apartment buildings – €10 million,
– for state and municipal buildings – €7.6 million,
– for energy communities – €9.2 million.
According to survey data, 35% of respondents living in apartment buildings expressed interest in such an innovation.
Opinion from social media
– "How much electricity is consumed for lighting the stairwell? If it could be used for heating and hot water, then it would make sense. Otherwise, these panels will never pay off, it's another deception of the population aimed at filling the pockets of officials."
– "And are those 35% who are 'for' aware of the subsequent costs of maintaining the panels?.."
