Save energy and earn money with the roof of your stables or sheds? On October 29, the national government will temporarily open a subsidy tap of 5 billion euros for entrepreneurs who want to install at least 50 solar panels. Good for the environment and an interesting business case for entrepreneurs.
Hundreds of farmers have already made successful use of the so-called Stimulation of sustainable energy production (SDE+). Thanks to this scheme, they earn back the investment in the solar panels after just a few years, while the subsidy continues for 15 years.
Save and earn
If a farmer is awarded the SDE+ subsidy, he will receive a maximum of 15 euro cents per generated kWh of solar energy for 9,9 years after the panels have been installed. Because the farmer generates energy himself, he also saves a lot on his energy bill. Does the meter indicate that not all generated power is consumed? Then he sells the remainder to his energy company.
New construction is also eligible for the subsidy, provided that the building permit has been obtained with the application for SDE+. It also happens that a farmer needs financing for the purchase of solar panels. Banks are generally happy to participate in sustainability initiatives.
Apply for a subsidy
All farmers with space for at least 50 solar panels and a large-scale consumer connection are in principle eligible for the subsidy. Specialist Energy Shift handles the entire application process free of charge. After the grant has been awarded, the entrepreneur has 1,5 years to have the solar panels installed. If he ultimately decides not to do so, it will have no further consequences. SDE+ is non-binding and risk-free.
From October 29
The first round for the SDE+ subsidy was in the spring. The second and final round of 2019 runs from October 29 to November 14. Entrepreneurs who are thinking about solar panels would do well to apply for a subsidy now. Next year, the government will expand the SDE+ subsidy. Initiatives that reduce CO2 emissions will then also be eligible for a subsidy. The exact conditions are not yet known, but it is suspected that the fee per generated kWh of solar energy will decrease.
In total, a farmer can benefit from the SDE+ subsidy for 15 years, but until long after that he will continue to reap the benefits of his solar panels. Solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years Energy Shift comes with a standard 25-year warranty.