Legislative framework for photovoltaics in Greece: A review of the sector's development

• Published in: Energy policy 2013-04, Vol.55, p.296-304
• Main Authors: Karteris, M., Papadopoulos, A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cost effectiveness; Diffusion policy; Eastern Europe; Economic data; Effectiveness studies; Electric energy; Electricity distribution; Energy; Energy economics; Energy policy; Exact sciences and technology; Feed-in tariff; Foreign direct investment; General, economic and professional studies; Greece; Greeks; International trade; Investments; Investors; Law; Legislation; Legislation, regulations for energy use; Markets; Natural energy; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Tariff; Tariffs
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.12.001

The Law 3468/2006 provided for first time in 2006 appealing feed-in tariff (FiT) incentives for photovoltaics (PVs) in Greece. The response of the national market was immediate in less than 2 years' time. Two subsequent laws formed an even more attractive investment and licensing context both for field and building installations, by introducing additional guarantees and improved grid-connection procedures. However, the unexpectedly large amount of applications submitted until 2011, with aggregate PV capacities which exceeded the national target for 2020 caused continuously tremendous delays in grid-connection processes. Undoubtedly, the effectiveness of this legislative framework cannot be judged solely by the response of prospective investors. In that sense, main objectives of this paper are to present and discuss about the effective provisions as well as the major weaknesses of the FiT legislation in Greece since 2006, associated mainly with its attractiveness to investors and its cost-effectiveness towards preserving and supporting the Greek PV market. The paper concludes with a technoeconomic assessment, which evaluates PV projects' viability, especially those ones whose provision of grid-connection offer was postponed several times. ► Progressive parameters and major weaknesses of Greek FiT law for PVs are discussed. ► We complete a feasibility study for PVs considering the steadily decreased FiT support. ► Propositions for overcoming barriers of Greek FiT system for PVs are suggested.