The City of Zagreb has prepared a program to support the installation of solar panels on the roofs of public buildings, privately-owned single-family homes and multi-apartment buildings, and companies in order to increase the installed capacity from the current 700 kilowatts (kW) to 50 megawatts (MW) by 2024. The capital of Croatia will provide grants for the preparation of projects for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels.

The program for integrated solar power plants on public buildings, multi-apartment buildings and single-family houses and companies in the City of Zagreb from 2022 to 2024 was prepared by mayor Tomislav Tomaševi?, and it will be discussed by the city parliament on October 28.

Three models for financing the installation of solar panels

The installation of solar panels can be financed with own funds (100 percent or with a share of non-refundable funds) or the operators of the systems can get a guaranteed power purchase price on tenders by the Croatian Energy Market Operator (HROTE) or sign power purchase agreements (PPAs).

According to the program, 10 MW of solar panels is expected to be installed on public buildings while another 10 MW is seen for multi-apartment buildings and private single-family houses and 30 MW should be built on structures run by companies.

The solar potential of Zagreb is estimated at 250 MW.

The program could trigger private investments of EUR 40 million.

The program’s implementation is expected to launch private investments of about EUR 40 million and result in annual electricity production of about 50,000 MWh and the reduction of CO2 emissions by 100,000 tons per year.

The scheme includes coordinated preparation and launch of projects for the installation of solar power plants on roofs with the provision of non-refundable financial assistance for project preparation, according to the proposal.

It also envisages the use of advanced procurement models to minimize city budget expenditures for the installation and maintenance of solar panels.

The mechanism will be implemented by North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency (REGEA).

Three main activities: feasibility analysis, consultation and information for citizens and companies

The program will consist of three main activities. The first is to analyze the feasibility of the installation of solar panels on the roofs of public buildings (schools, hospitals, health centers) in line with the model for guaranteed purchase prices awarded by the Croatian Market Operator (HROTE) or the PPA model, including the involvement of citizens through crowdfunding.

A solar info center is to be established

The second segment is offering advice and information to citizens, including the establishment of a solar info center (one-stop-shop) in order to encourage the creation of energy communities, the installation of solar power plants for self-consumption, and the use of grants from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund and other available sources.

Finally, the solar info center will be there to advise companies and encourage them to prepare projects, apply for grants, and become familiar with the models for the installation of solar panels.