Solar panels in Greece (photovoltaic) are on course to set a new record, according to the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO) following the completion of over 900 MWp photovoltaic connections in the first six months of 2024.
The capacity of new systems was up by 43.7% compared to the corresponding period last year, while new installations of residential photovoltaic systems quadrupled in comparison to the same period in 2023 due to the “Photovoltaics on the Roof” program which is funded via the “National Recovery and Resilience Plan” Greece 2.0.
Comparing clean energy solutions, the installation of new solar panels in Greece in the first half of 2024 outstripped those of wind power (97 MW) during the same period tenfold.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Energy intends to expand the use of photovoltaic systems to cover specified sea areas. According to a forthcoming “roadmap,” authorities plan to allow the installation of floating solar panels with a capacity of up to 8 megawatts (MW) each and a total capacity of up to 80 MW in reservoirs or artificial lakes that are not designated as protected environmental spaces.
In addition, installations will also be permitted in storage and artificial water bodies formed in depleted mining sites of the Public Power Corporation (PPC), including mines, quarries, and excavations. These provisions do not apply to the country’s natural lakes.
The Greek authorities plan to impose stricter limitations and constraints on the installation process and assessments to counter opposition by local councils, thus facilitating investment interest already expressed, like in the cases of regions in Western Macedonia and Thessaly.
According to these stricter provisions, photovoltaic stations can only cover a total surface of no more than 5% of the total water area, while environmental conditions will be issued, as per projects that may have significant environmental impacts.
