Financial Incentive for PV Investors
The feed-in tariff system has been introduced in 17 European countries at present and it is widely known as the key financial incentive to encourage the use of renewable energy resources such as wind power, biomass and solar photovoltaics. The initial countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and the UK.
The feed-in tariff system fixes a premium above or additional to the market price for utility companies to buy electricity from renewable energy producers. The feed-in tariff also guarantees a fixed rate of return over 15-20 years, which makes renewable energy an attractive target for investors.
Though a feed-in tariff is the most important incentive for photovoltaic buyers, there are other support schemes such as low interest credits/loans, investment subsidies, tax rebates that are available in many countries. It is recommended to consult the local government, banks and installers concerning available schemes to support your purchase of photovoltaic systems.
For further information on feed-in tariff systems in each country, please refer to the following sites:
sanyo-solar.eu