The Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs says it plans to offer up to a 20% ‘Made in Europe’ bonus for eligible small scale solar and energy storage projects for using European components in a funding call to be launched on June 23, 2025.
“From an Austrian perspective, the expertise in the field of inverters and battery storage systems required for controlling PV modules is particularly noteworthy,” stated the ministry.
Regarding the bonus, Elizabeth Zehetner, the country’s State Secretary for Energy said, “With the new 'Made in Europe'bonus, we are strengthening our European industry and our resilience.”
Previously, the Austrian Climate Protection Ministry had announced the ‘Made in Europe’ bonus scheme for only solar systems (see Austria Announces Made In Europe Bonus For Solar PV).
For this year, the ministry is offering a total of €70 million in funding — at ‘legally required minimum level’ — for solar PV, hydropower, wind and biomass projects. Out of this, €60 million as state funding is reserved for solar PV systems and energy storage projects in 2025. The remaining €10 million will be distributed between hydropower plants, biomass plants, and wind turbines.
Available under the country’s Electricity Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG), the fund volume responds to the changing market conditions in the PV sector and to its budget situation, as Zehetner added that “At the same time, it is clear: We must use public funds more specifically and effectively. That is why we are gradually aligning our funding policy more strongly with system service and efficiency – so that every subsidized kilowatt-hour also makes a real contribution to the energy transition.”
The 1st funding call for this year opened on April 23, 2025. Details are available on the ministry’s website.
Austria aims to become climate-neutral by 2040 and cover 100% of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030. Solar PV is targeted to provide a minimum of 11 TWh of clean electricity by 2030 and expanded up to 41 TWh by 2040, according to the country’s Photovoltaic Strategy.
However, in 2024, the country saw its 1st decline in annual solar PV installations in 8 years, with the addition of over 2.22 GW after installing 2.6 GW in the previous year (see Austria Installed 2.22 GW Solar PV Capacity In 2024).
The Austrian solar PV association, PV Austria, recently voiced its concerns regarding the new government’s plans to revoke the value added tax (VAT) exemption for small-scale solar systems prematurely (see PV Austria Fears ‘Massive Uncertainty’ With New Government’s Measures).
