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Photovoltaic energy in Slovenia

General

The Resolution on the National Energy Programme (ReNEP) adopted by the National Assembly in 2004, defines long-term development goals of energy demand and supply, security of supply, competitiveness of energy markets and sustainability. The target of Slovenian policy defined in the Resolution on the National Energy Programme (ReNEP) was to: (a) increase the share of RES in the primary energy balance to 12% in 2010, (b) increase heat supply from RES from 22% in 2002 to 25% in 2010, (c) increase electricity production from RES from 32% in 2002 to 33,6%  in 2010. A new National Energy Programme with new long-term goals is in progress.

The promotion of renewable resources has a priority before supplying energy from non-renewable energy resources as defined in the Energy Act. Energy Act defines also that the energy policy is orientated toward renewable energy resources, ensuring appropriate measures and support mechanisms.

Since 2001 the main support mechanism for RES electricity has been feed-in. In July 2007 Slovenian parliament adopted the changes and the modification of Energy Act (70/2008) primarily in chapters dealing with the electricity from RES and from cogeneration which led to the modification of the scheme in 2009.

Ministry of the Economy - Department of Efficient Energy Use Energy and Renewable Energy Sources ensures investment grant for specific RES heating projects.  

The Eco Fund assigns soft loans to specific RES technologies through.

Renewable energy projections according to the National Renewable Energy Action Plan for Slovenia 

According to Directive 2009/28/EC the target in 2020 indicates 25% of renewables in the gross consumption of final energy. The National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) for Slovenia was submitted in June 2010. The projected NREAP share in the year 2020 is 25,3%. 

The NREAP Target sectoral shares of RES in 2020 are: (a) heating and cooling from RES - 30,8% , (b) electricity from RES - 39,3% (c) biofuels in transport -10,5%.    

According to the NREAP projection, the most important contribution in the year 2020 is expected from biomass (309 GWh of electricity and 526 ktoe of heat, or 41% of all renewable energy). The second important contribution is expected from small hydro power (5121 GWh or 33% of all renewable energy). The third largest contribution is from biofuels (173 ktoe of biodizel and 18,5 ktoe of bioethanol or 14% of all renewable energy). PV and solar thermal contribute 139 GWh of electricity and 21 ktoe of heat, biofuels contribute 367 GWh, wind power 191 GWh of electricity.

 

Renewable electricity: photovoltaic energy (PV)

The new “Decree on Support for Electricity Generated from Renewable Energy Sources” adopted by the Slovenian government on 8 May 2009 regulates the level and duration of the necessary support for all RES technologies. Producers of electricity from renewable sources with capacity Q<5MW may choose between a guaranteed feed-in tariff and a premium, while producers with capacity Q>5MW are eligible only for a premium on top of the electricity price achieved on the market.

Producers of RES electricity receiving a feed-in tariff are selling their electricity to Slovenian power market operator Borzen (Center for Support), others sell electricity to electricity traders on the basis of individual contracts at market price and also receiving additional premium paid by Center for Support.

PV systems are eligible for a feed-in tariff if their capacity does not exceed 5 MW and a premium for systems larger than 5 MW. The tariffs and premiums are defined by size classes: up to 50 kW, from 50kW to 1 MW, from 1 MW to10 MW and from 10 MW to 125 MW. The feed-in tariffs for new PV plants entered in operation each year degress for 7% of feed-in tariff in year 2009. In 2010 a higher 10% yearly degression was introduced for PV plants entering in operation in 2011 and following years. Feed-in tariffs for 2009, 2010 and 2011 are shown in the Table 1.

 

Table 1: Feed-in tariffs and premiums for electricity from PV

 

 

Year 2009

Year 2010

Year 2011

3.1) PV – on buildings*

Factor B

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

up to 50 kW

0.88

415.46

368.71

386.38

339.63

332.37

285.62

from 50kW to 1 MW

0.88

380.02

333.27

353.42

306.67

304.02

257.27

from 1 MW to10 MW

0.91

315.36

267.01

293.28

244.93

252.29

203.94

10 MW to 125 MW

1

/

227.58

/

207.93

/

171.44

3.2) PV on ground

Factor B

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

Feed in tarif

(Eur/MWh)

Premium

(EUR/MWh)

up to 50 kW

0.88

390.42

343.67

363.09

316.34

312.34

265.59

from 50kW to 1 MW

0.88

359.71

312.96

334.53

287.78

287.77

241.02

from 1 MW to10 MW

0.91

289.98

241.63

269.68

221.33

231.98

183.63

10 MW to 125 MW

1

/

216.09

/

197.24

/

162.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* in 2009 and 2010 there was a 15% bonus on integrated PV. The bonus was phased in 2011.

 

There is a 5 MW yearly quota for large (Q>1MW) on ground PV systems.

The Eco Fund assigns soft loans to PV investors. The loan can cover up to 90% of investment expense. Since 2010 many commercial bank have been offering special loan lines for PV projects.

In 2010 investment support up to 50% of the investment costs in PV were granted by the Ministry of Agriculture for farmers. Investor benefiting from grant gets adequately lower feed in tariff or premium. 

 

Future programme changes expected

There are no future changes expected.

 

Sources:

·         ReNEP: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200457&stevilka=2669

·         Eco Fund: http://www.ekosklad.si/

·         Energy Act: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200727&stevilka=1351

·         Decree on Support for Electricity Generated from Renewable Energy Sources (Feed in tariff 2009): http://www.uradni-list.si/1/objava.jsp?urlid=200937&stevilka=1780

·         Determining of the level of support for electricity produced from renewables and CHP and the level of support in year 2011:

http://www.borzen.si/pripone/598/Podpore2011_v21jan2011.pdf

·         Status of  Photovotaics in European union, New Member States 2010

 

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Last update: March 2011


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