On Monday 2 December, the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Renewable Energy Fund began accepting applications from the public for subsidies under the programme for the replacement and installation of solar water heaters.
According to the established rules, all beneficiaries are divided into two categories. Urban residents will receive a cash grant of €500, while those living in rural areas will receive €900. For vulnerable households, the grant is €900.
The government scheme provides funding for the purchase or replacement of a tank, solar panels and their installation with the help of certified contractors. According to the Ministry, applications will be accepted until the available quotas are exhausted. A total of 1.5 thousand Cypriot households will benefit from the scheme, for which €1 million has been earmarked.
It should be noted that the scheme covers integrated water heating systems (cylinders and panels) that meet the following specifications
- Solar panels are Solar Keymark certified.
- A water heater is classified as Energy Class B or higher if it has a volume of up to 200 litres, or Energy Class C or higher if it has a volume greater than 200 litres.
It is important to note that PRE-approval must be obtained before a solar water heater can be installed. The application will be rejected if it is found that work has commenced on the new system before prior approval has been obtained.
For more information and to apply for grants, you can only apply online at resecfund.org.cy.
To apply, you will need to create an account with the system (if you don't already have one). When applying, you will be asked to attach the following documents in electronic form (scanned)
- Your most recent domestic energy bill showing the rating and property number. The account does not need to be in the applicant's name.
- Title deed to the property (does not need to be in the applicant's name).
- Copy of bank statement or bank confirmation showing the IBAN account number to which the grant will be paid if the application is approved.
Recall that the first solar water heaters appeared in Cyprus in the 1690s.
The country's rugged rural areas were slow to receive electricity, so solar water heaters were often installed before homes were connected to the grid. In remote villages, access to free, clean and reliable hot water was essential.
Today, 93.5 per cent of households in Cyprus use solar water heaters for their domestic needs, well above the EU average. As well as benefiting individual households, the technology has become a thriving industry. Local manufacturers produce solar panels and water tanks, and numerous installers operate across the island, making a significant contribution to the local economy.
While the success of solar water heating in Cyprus is undeniable, the technology is not without its drawbacks. One of the most commonly cited is its appearance. Rows of installations on rooftops disrupt the skyline in many urban areas. Attempts to regulate and improve the aesthetics of these systems have not been successful.