The topic of photovoltaics is not leaving the tongues of Polish investors. Interest in renewable energy sources has been going on for years and there is no indication that this will change in the near future. As photovoltaics becomes more popular, Poles are becoming more aware not only of ecologically generating electricity for their own needs, but also of storing electricity. Investing in an energy bank is a profitable solution – especially since we can count on subsidies from the state treasury. Check how much you can save!
In this article you will learn:
- What is the My Electricity program?
- What will be the subsidies in the new edition of Mój Prąd?
- What are the subsidies for purchasing an energy storage facility?
Cheaper energy storage?
The government program "Mój Prąd" played an important role in the development of prosumer energy. All editions enjoyed considerable interest - in the third edition alone, the number of applications exceeded 178 thousand, of which almost 160 thousand were approved. The last edition was slightly different from the previous ones.
In December 2022, it was decided to increase the subsidy amounts and extend the application deadline to 31 March 2023. After changing the conditions, support could amount to as much as PLN 7,000 for a photovoltaic micro-installation, up to PLN 5,000 for heat storage, up to PLN 3,000 for EMS/HEMS systems and even up to PLN 16,000 for an energy storage (assuming that the amount of subsidy could not exceed 50% of the eligible investment costs).
The program "My Current" enjoys considerable popularity
The more than doubling of subsidies for energy storage is noteworthy. The emergence of higher subsidies for energy banks was a consequence of the recent change in the system for settling electricity produced in home micro-installations – from net-metering to net-billing.
The introduction of new conditions is to encourage prosumers to invest in electricity storage. The changes have brought the expected results. Higher subsidies have encouraged Poles to submit applications. The budget earmarked for subsidy payments was exhausted in mid-March this year. Currently, the recruitment is closed. However, a new edition of the program is on the horizon. What can we expect from "Mój Prąd 5.0"?
Even higher subsidies in the new edition of the "Mój Prąd" program
The application process for the new edition of the program, announced on March 19, is to begin in April. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management has not yet provided any details. However, the first reports are very optimistic.
It is planned to extend the scope of subsidies to include solar collectors and heat pumps, as well as increase the amount of support. On the gov.pl website, we can read that the maximum amount of subsidy can be as much as PLN 58,000. Interestingly, the new level of subsidy is almost twice as high as the amount of subsidy in "Mój Prąd 4.0" - at that time, the maximum that could be obtained was PLN 31,000.
It is likely that the amount of individual subsidies, e.g. for the purchase of an energy storage facility, will not increase. Higher subsidies may be associated with the introduction of new solutions covered by government support. Therefore, those who decide on several of them will be able to count on the highest subsidies.
The rest of the assumptions should not change. As in previous editions, beneficiaries will be able to receive financial assistance for the purchase and installation of:
- photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 2-10 kW,
- devices to increase the self-consumption of produced energy – i.e. heat buffers or home energy storage facilities,
- EMS/HEM energy management systems.
Support for the purchase of energy storage facilities – thermal modernization relief
An interesting instrument of support for green energy consumers is the thermal modernization relief, which consists of deducting from income the expenses incurred for the implementation of a thermal modernization project. The relief can be used by taxpayers taxed on general principles, flat tax, lump sum on recorded revenues, who are owners or co-owners of single-family residential buildings. The amount of expenses is determined on the basis of invoices and ranges from 12-36%, depending on the income threshold of the beneficiary.
Although energy storage facilities are not included in the official catalogue of devices and services subject to the relief, if other conditions for granting the benefit are met, the costs associated with the purchase and installation of the bank may be deducted from tax. The electricity storage facility is an accessory of the photovoltaic installation, which is its integral part - it cannot operate independently. The installation of an energy storage facility is part of the thermal modernisation works in the building.
Electricity storage subsidies – how much can you get?
The largest subsidy can be counted on by people who decide to combine several thermal modernization solutions. Example? A prosumer who chose a hybrid installation MIELLEC LV-5 + Deye, valued at around PLN 35 thousand gross, could count on around PLN 18.4 thousand of subsidy in the "Mój Prąd 4.0" program, of which:
- the additional payment for the purchase of the MIELLEC LV-5 energy storage facility amounted to PLN 14.4 thousand,
- additional payment for hybrid inverter – PLN 3,000,
- additional subsidy for photovoltaic installation – PLN 1-3 thousand.
The thermal modernization relief in this case amounted to PLN 2,000-6,000. The final cost of installing the MIELLEC LV-5 + Deye set was PLN 9,900-15,000. A customer who has a PV installation and took advantage of the "Mój Prąd" subsidy of PLN 4,000 could receive up to PLN 20,400 in funding for the MIELLEC LV-5 + retro-fit set:
- PLN 14.4 thousand is a subsidy for the purchase of an energy storage facility,
- 3 thousand PLN subsidy for the inverter
- PLN 3,000 of support for PV installations.
A customer who wanted to install a hybrid system costing around PLN 49,000 could count on around PLN 24,400 in funding under the “Mój Prąd” program and PLN 2,900-8,800 in refunds in the form of a thermal modernization relief. The final cost of the installation in this case was PLN 15,600-21,200. This means that the subsidy/relief covered 56-68% of the investment.
2023 will be the year of green energy
What will the future bring? Poles are focusing on ecological solar energy, as evidenced by the great interest in government programs supporting prosumer energy. According to experts, the popularity of energy storage will increase in the coming months. Banks will significantly increase the self-consumption of electricity generated by home photovoltaic micro-installations.
Intensive development of RES, including investments in individual energy storage facilities, play an important role in the entire power system – they are a solution to rising electricity prices and the energy crisis. An investment in an energy storage facility is an investment in ecology, energy security and a stable future.
