– This is very bad. We are just getting started, and then you start to reduce support for an industry that is only in the starting pit. We think that is very unfortunate, says Trine Berentsen. She is managing director of the industry association Solenergiklyngen. Day-to-day manager of the Solar Energy Cluster, Trine Berentsen. Photo: Leif Martin Kirknes [LO Media]
It was on Wednesday that Enova announced that from 1 October they are cutting support in a number of measures (external link). One of these is support for solar systems. For solar systems, you currently get NOK 7,500 plus NOK 2,000 per kWh up to 20 kWh. From 1 October, the support per kWh has been reduced to NOK 1,250. And while full support today provides up to NOK 47,500, this will be reduced to NOK 32,500 this autumn. The solar energy industry knew nothing until Enova announced the change. If consumers fear they won’t get their money, Enova will basically cut support because the need is no longer as great. – There has simply been a formidable increase in both solar cells and the number of suppliers. The positive market development means that it reduces the need for benefits, says marketing manager Anna Barnwell at Enova to news. Enova has supported solar installations in Norwegian homes since 2015. In February 2022, they increased the support due to a lack of interest in solar in the market. – Couldn’t the cut lead to fewer people choosing to invest in solar cells on the roof? – Everything indicates that this market is rolling and doing quite well. In 2021, 1,500 people installed solar cells on the roof, in 2022 there were over 5,000 and only so far this year almost 5,000 have applied for support. We still expect great interest in this technology, says Barnwell. But Berentsen in the Solar Energy Cluster believes the cut is completely wrong. – This is so contrary to what one is preoccupied with these days, she says. Berentsen points to the Energy Commission’s recommendation on solar power development and the parliamentary decision in June, where the Storting asked the government to set a target for new solar energy of eight terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, and to prepare a concrete action plan that makes it possible to realize the target within the revised budget in 2024. comparison, today 0.3 TWh is produced from solar energy each year. – For private individuals, the Enova support is incredibly important. Solar panels are quite a large investment for a consumer. Now there will be a rush to build solar cells and apply for support, but when there is a three-four month waiting period they may not be able to get this support, says Berentsen. To this Barnwell replies that she hopes and believes that most of those who have ordered and are waiting for installation will be able to meet the deadline. And reminds that there will still be support to get after 1 October. – The opposite of what we actually need Lars Haltbrekken (SV) sits on the Energy and Environment Committee in the Storting. He thinks the cut is serious. Lars Haltbrekken (SV). Photo: William Jobling / news – We are now on the threshold of a solar cell revolution in Norway where more and more people are using it. Then a cut in support is the opposite of what we actually need, he says. Haltbrekken says he has challenged Climate and Environment Minister Espen Barth Eide on whether he will take the initiative to cancel the announced cut. – If he doesn’t do it, how does he think that the cut will contribute to meeting the target set at eight TWh? he says. Victory more people will get support news has asked the minister to comment on Haltbrekken’s challenge, via the Ministry of Climate and Environment’s communications department. They have chosen to let State Secretary Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad (Ap) answer. Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad, State Secretary in the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Photo: Arbeiderpartiet – Haltbrekken overlooks that we should spend more funds on the scheme. The rates are reduced, but the budget increases so that the number of supporting solar panels increases and more people can take part in the benefits. This will contribute positively to the new solar target, she wrote in an e-mail to news. When asked what the climate and environment minister thinks about Enova announcing reduced support in light of the parliamentary resolution on targets for solar energy, and the Energy Commission’s report, Syrstad replies that one must not forget other tools that also help speed up the solar adventure. Among other things, a better plus customer arrangement that makes it more attractive for housing associations and commercial buildings to share electricity. Bård Ludvig Thorheim (H). Photo: Pål Hansen / news Also Høgre politician Bård Ludvig Thorheim reacts to the cut to Enova. – I am surprised by the decision when the government has said that we should invest even more in solar and the entire Storting agrees on ambitious targets for how much solar energy we will have in 2030, he says. – We are far behind other countries and things are not going fast enough, he says.
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