Promotional Campaign Launched for Solar Cells

Luxembourg has launched a new campaign and a series of measures aimed at the promotion of solar cells and photovoltaic energy.

Today, in the presence of Michel Reckinger, President of the Fédération des artisans, and Gilbert Théato from myenergy, Luxembourg Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Francine Closener and Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Camille Gira presented measures in favour of solar energy, along with a new campaign for the promotion of such energy.

On this occasion, Secretary of State for Economy, Francine Closener, presented the assessment of the efforts already made by Luxembourg to approximate the national targets set for 2020, namely reaching 11% of renewable energies in the final energy consumption. The national renewable energy action plan foresees that 4% of this total would be produced domestically and 5% should come from the transport sector. Finally, it is envisaged that the remaining 2% will be realised in other EU countries through the use of cooperation mechanisms. Currently, about 7% of total electricity consumption in Luxembourg is covered by renewable energy sources.

In 2017, renewable energies produced in Luxembourg will cover for the first time more than half of household electricity consumption, with wind energy, photovoltaic energy and biogas plants being the main contributors. Produced by 6,500 installations, photovoltaic energy contributes about 22% to the production of electricity from renewable energy sources in Luxembourg.

The new measures implemented for the promotion of solar energy are many and Myenergy, the national structure for the promotion of sustainable energy transition, remains the first contact to guide and advise households and companies in their initiatives and projects in the field of renewable energies and more precisely solar installations.

There are, however, two main additions to these promotional measures: firstly, the eligibility for investment aid has been extended to all energy producers, excluding the state, and an injection tariff has been introduced for installations above 30 kW.

In general, there are two distinctions: between installations from 0-30 kW and installations between 30 and 200 kW. Those eligible for aid for the first include individuals, companies, civil societies and cooperatives and municipalities. This aid involves an investment allowance of 20% of the investment cost with the 2017 rate at €0,169/kW, the 2018 rate at €0,145/kW and €0.121/kW in 2019, all for a period of 15 years.

As for installations between 30 and 200 kW involving cooperatives or civil societies composed of at least 7 persons (natural persons, ASBLs, foundations), no investment subsidy will be available. However, the rates vary between facilities between 30-100 kW and 100-200 kW. For the first group, the 2017 rate is set at €0,1504 /kW, the 2018 rate at €0,1408/kW and that of 2019 will be €0,1312/kW for 15 years. For the second group, the 2017 rate is €0,1438/kW, the 2018 rate €0,1346/kW and the 2019 rate is €0.1255/kW for 15 years.

Launched on 13 September 2017, the awareness campaign aims to highlight the contribution of citizens to the energy transition and the financial return on investment.

Under the slogan "Solar - our commitment to clean energy - win thanks to solar energy", the campaign will focus on communicating via various outputs such as bus shelters, print media and the internet. The website www.cleversolar.lu is also dedicated to the campaign.