Applicants race for PV funding that could run out in seconds

About 30,000 applicants are expected to compete for eight million euros in photovoltaic and electricity storage subsidies when Austria’s final funding call opens on October 8, ORF reports. Applications will be accepted from 5 p.m., and the funding could be claimed within seconds.

The fund was exhausted 36 seconds after the previous call opened in June. Around 25,000 applications were not considered in the second call and are likely to be submitted again, adding to new applications.

Kevin Paulitsch of Hansesun said applicants may need to submit their forms in under 20 seconds. The company has built a test portal so customers and staff can practise. Applicants must enter data, answer a security question, decipher and enter a code, tick a box and submit the application.

Criticism of the funding calls is continuing, and policymakers plan to redesign the model. They are expected to focus on smart storage systems. The industry is calling for more predictability and fairness for customers, with proposals including fixed subsidy amounts or a tax allowance that could be claimed in tax returns.

No specific solution for 2027 has been presented. The future of subsidies for photovoltaic systems and electricity storage remains uncertain, particularly for applicants who miss out in this round.