CATEGORY Η2 - GRANT SCHEME FOR SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS IN RESIDENCES -2024

• Only one APPLICATION can be submitted by each beneficiary and/or for each dwelling and/or for each system. Thus applicants for CATEGORY H2 cannot submit another application for CATEGORY H2 or CATEGORY H1 of the same grant scheme.

• A "vulnerable household" is considered a residence that serves as the primary and permanent place of residence for a "vulnerable electricity consumer". It is understood that each "vulnerable electricity consumer" can be declared/connected to/with only one residence/vulnerable household.

• Approval for inclusion in CATEGORY H2 cannot be granted if, for the same vulnerable electricity consumer, increased funding for the installation of a solar water heater system has already been granted within the last ten (10) years, as part of previous or other Grant Schemes either of the RES and ES Fund or the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, targeting residences where vulnerable electricity consumers reside. The period of ten (10) years is calculated from the date of payment of the first grant.

• Installations in premises that are not legally used as residences (e.g. auxiliary spaces) are not subsidized.

• Houses must not be rented by a legal entity and must not be used within the context of any economic activity for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of application submission. It is clarified that houses rented from natural persons to natural persons are eligible.

• Indicative average processing time of applications: 2-3 months. This information is non-binding and based on current data, provided that the Application submitted is complete and no issues/omissions have been identified.

For your better guidance in the materialisation of the investment, you may wish to consult the booklet found below:

Solar Water Heating Systems- Advice to Applicants [GR]

Please note that in order to submit an APPLICATION you must first create an account in the system (if you do not already have one).

When submitting an APPLICATION you will be asked to attach the following documents in electronic form (scan):

1.  A recent Electricity Bill of the residence where the solar water heating system will be installed clearly showing the tariff and the Premise ID number. It is NOT necessary for the bill to be in the applicant's name.
2. OWNERSHIP TITLE for the residence.
   • The Ownership Title does not need to be in the applicant's name.
   • If the title is unavailable, applicants can provide an official document that identifies the property in the Land Registry Portal and confirms that it is a legal residence, with the building or planning permit application submitted before 31.12.2010 (e.g., copy of the building permit, planning permit, or proof of housing assistance from the government).
3. Copy of a bank account statement or certification from the Bank, showing the IBAN number of the account in which the grant will be deposited in case of successful implementation. 
   • It is necessary to state a bank account held solely or jointly by the Applicant.

IN THE EVENT WHERE THE APPLICANT IS A DIFFERENT PERSON from the vulnerable electricity consumer, it will be additionally required to submit:

1. The identification document of the vulnerable electricity consumer, who permanently resides in the household for which the APPLICATION is submitted.

The CONFIRMATION OF INSTALLATION of the solar system is done directly by the PARTICIPATING INSTALLERS through the electronic system, the latest within ten (10) working days from the installation of the solar system.

With the CONFIRMATION OF INSTALLATION the participating installers must submit the following in electronic form (scan):

1. Detailed Invoice(s) of purchase and installation of the solar system which should be issued in the name of the applicant.
   • The invoice must be issued in the applicant's name ONLY. If issued in a different name, a  relevant statement should also be submitted which must be completed both by the applicant and by the person in the name of whom the invoices have been issued. 
   • The invoice should include a detailed description and quantity of the installed equipment, ensuring it matches the approved LIST OF ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT.
2. PHOTOGRAPHS of the solar system and surrounding area both BEFORE and AFTER  the installation.
   • These photos are essential for verifying the materialisation of the investment .Failure to submit appropriate photos may lead to the rejection of the APPLICATION.
   • IT IS MANDATORY to submit photographs : 
     •   BEFORE beginning of works,
     •   AFTER the completion of the solar system installation is complete.

In cases where the grant amount will be paid to the PARTICIPATING INSTALLER for the purpose of investment repayment, the following will need to  be additionally submitted:

1. A Standardised authorisation form signed by the Applicant granting authorisation for the grant payment to be paid the PARTICIPATING SUPPLIER.

The PARTICIPATING SUPPLIERS must possess the original signed authorization form and present it to the Committee if requested. 

• Scheme Guide - Grant Scheme for Solar Water Heating Systems in Residences 2024

• Account Creation Guide [GR]
• Solar Water Heating Systems- Advice to Applicants [GR]
•  List of Mountainous Areas 

• Statement for Invoices not issued in the applicant' s name  (required only if the invoice was issued in a name other than the applicant's).
• Standardised authorisation form signed by the Applicant granting authorisation for the grant payment to be paid the PARTICIPATING SUPPLIER.  (submitted only if the applicant wishes to utilize this specific option).

1. I need help with the submission of my APPLICATION. Who can assist me?

Among the obligations undertaken by PARTICIPATING INSTALLERS, as a prerequisite for their participation in the Grant Scheme, is to adequately be informed about the provisions of the Grant Scheme and to appropriately inform and guide interested Applicants and, additionally, where necessary, to provide support to Applicants for the electronic submission of their APPLICATION.

2. Who can submit an APPLICATION for CATEGORYΑ Η2;

Natural Persons intending to install a solar system in their residence according to the Scheme's provisions are eligible to apply. For CATEGORY H1 of the Grant Scheme, applicants DO NOT  need to be owners of the residence, or have the electricity bill issued in their name. Each beneficiary may submit only one application..

Applications for CATEGORY H2 are submitted by "vulnerable households," meaning residences used as the primary and permanent residence by a "vulnerable electricity consumer".

3. Can I start the implementation of the investment and then submit an APPLICATION?

NO. The application must be submitted BEFORE starting any work.

Starting the investment before PRE- APPROVAL is granted will result in immediate rejection of the application.

4. What if the invoices are not issued in my name? What can I do?

The name on the invoices must be the same as the name of the applicant (without mention of any other name). If the invoices are issued in a different name from that of the applicant or if, any other name is stated together with the applicant's name, a relevant statement, must be submitted, completed by both the person to whom the invoices were issued and the applicant.

5. . I don't have a bank account in my name. Can the grant for my application be deposited into a relative's account?;

No. The grant is deposited into a bank account where the applicant is the account holder or the co-account holder.

6. Can I receive a grant for a house that I am renting?

Yes, as long as the residence is rented from one natural person to another. If the residence is rented from a legal entity (e.g. a company), it is not eligible for the grant. According to the provisions of the Scheme, "residences must not be rented from a legal entity and must not be used for economic activities for a period of at least five (5) years from the date of submission of the application..

7. Can I receive a grant for an investment in my shop/auxiliary building?

No. The property where the investment will take place must be legally used as a residence, and the electricity bill of the property must show a Residential Tariff. Installations in properties that are not legally used as residences (e.g., auxiliary spaces/shops/businesses) are not subsidized.

8. Can I receive a grant for both my residence and my vacation home?;

Both the primary residence and the vacation home are eligible for the grant, provided that they are legally established residences and the electricity bill of the property shows a Residential Tariff. However, note that only one APPLICATION can be submitted per beneficiaryο.

9. During the submission of the APPLICATION, I forgot to attach some documents or attached the wrong ones. What can I do?  

After the final submission of the application, any modification or submission of additional documents is not accepted. If these documents are necessary for the evaluation of the application, they will be requested by the evaluator during the assessment of the application.