Bulgaria installs solar photovoltaic panels

What is the largest solar project in Bulgaria?

This makes the 400 MW Apriltsi project not only Bulgaria's largest solar park but also the largest in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, capable of powering 96 thousand homes. Of particular note, the Apriltsi project represents the world's largest single-site heterojunction solar project.

Does Bulgaria benefit from solar power subsidies?

In the last two years, the combined nameplate size of solar power installations in Bulgaria has doubled to more than 2.4 GW and additions peaked this summer. Moreover, in the current top 20, no photovoltaic units built since 2021 benefit from any subsidies, data compiled by Capital.bg showed.

How big is Bulgaria's solar power?

In a matter of months, Bulgaria’s total solar power capacity is set to exceed 3 GW, compared to just 1.3 GW at the end of 2021. The lineup in the list of the largest photovoltaic plants is changing almost every week as major facilities come online, and there is more in the pipeline.

Is solar PV a good investment in Bulgaria?

It is now economic for commercial and industrial customers in Bulgaria to invest in solar PV projects, without subsidies and without government incentives. As a result, the market for distributed solar PV in Bulgaria is starting to grow.

Why are distributed solar PV projects being built in Bulgaria?

Most distributed solar PV projects currently being built in Bulgaria are being configured purely for self-consumption; in other words, they are not connected to the grid, and are being used strictly to reduce the customer’s electricity bill. This makes it harder for distribution system operators (DSOs) to monitor, and control.

Are solar panels a viable option for self-consumption in Bulgaria?

Conversely, households and institutions interested in installing solar panels for self-consumption are still stuck with administrative hurdles In the statistics of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Bulgaria had 1.28 GW at the end of 2021 and 1.95 GW just one year later. The measure is expressed in nominal or peak capacity.