Apisolar

Apisolar, the Portuguese national solar association, expects a 30% decrease in newly installed collector area this year. The forecast until the end of 2011 is 127,000 m² (89 MW), whereas around 180,000 m² of collector area were newly installed in 2010. This year's low demand has partly been a result of the changes in the national support policy. And, some more major changes in the country’s fiscal policy are coming into effect at the beginning of 2012 - which means the downward trend is not likely to be stopped next year, too.
Source: Apisolar

Two months after the new government came to power, its strategy for solar energy still remains a mystery: The new subsidy programme barely mentions renewable energies, but focuses on energy efficiency instead. Last year's two subsidy schemes for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as well as Private Social Solidarity Institutions (IPSS) and sports facilities have also stopped. And, the tax rebates of roughly EUR 800 for residential clients who purchase renewable energies equipment have no longer been in place since an agreement of the government with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At present, buyers of solar water heaters can only declare a limited amount as a tax benefit, which means a much smaller savings effect.

The Portuguese government continues its support for the solar thermal sector with an incentive programme for non-profit entities and sports institutions. Announced this June (see link http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1329), it was launched on 19 July and allows the submission of applications until 29 October. Projects selected in the north and middle of the country, as well as in the Alentejo region will receive funding of 70% of the investment costs, whereas the Lisbon area and the Algarve region are only eligible for a 50% subsidy. On 23 July, energy agency ADENE signed an agreement with several commercial banks to administer the funds: BPI, Millennium BCP, BES, Banco Popular, Santander Totta, BANIF, General Atlantic and Montepio Caixa Geral de Depósitos.

The government's announcement to invite tenders for a new subsidy scheme was met with mixed feelings throughout the industry: It represents a great chance, but comes at a wrong time.
Photo: Vulcano

The European renewable energy directive states an ambitious national target for Portugal: The southern European country is to reach a renewable energy share of 31 % in its total energy demand for 2020. At the same time, the government has shown a strong commitment to renewable energy technology: It is determined to be among the five leading European countries when it comes to exporting solar and wind technology.

At the moment, the most important factor for the sales success in Portugal is to either be able to join the incentive programme – or to be left out of it. Only seven companies acquired the programme's membership so far (as of mid-May): The three Portuguese brands Norquente, Openplus and Solargus, the Vulcano brand of the German heating giant BBT Thermotechnik, Wikora, which is a German solar thermal system supplier, and Rigsun, a brand from Greece.