Photovoltaic Systems for SMEs in Coal Regions

Under the “Regional Development” Programme 2021–2027, Priority 4 “Fair Transition,” grant funding is available for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to install photovoltaic systems (PV) with energy storage batteries in regions affected by the coal industry.

Who Can Apply

Eligible are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that:

• Are registered under the Commercial Act, the Cooperatives Act, or equivalent legislation in an EU/EEA member state;

• Operate in the following areas:

  • Districts: Kyustendil, Pernik, Stara Zagora

  • Municipalities: Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Elhovo, Sliven, and Tundzha

• Apply for support for their main economic activity for 2024 (Component 1);

• Have net sales revenue for 2024 of at least:

  • Micro enterprises – BGN 100,000

  • Small enterprises – BGN 250,000

  • Medium enterprises – BGN 800,000

    
    

Ineligible Applicants

• Enterprises whose main activity in 2024 is in: agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food processing, essential oils, cork, or tobacco;

• Companies with already approved projects and contracts under previous PV system funding procedures.

  
  

What Is Funded

Funding is provided through two components:

Component 1 – PV systems for self-consumption (up to 1 MW)

For enterprises to reduce electricity costs, including:

• PV panels

• Storage batteries

Eligible in the districts of Pernik, Kyustendil, Stara Zagora, and the listed municipalities.

Component 2 – PV systems for electricity sale (up to 5 MW)

For enterprises to produce and sell electricity to the grid.Eligible in Stara Zagora district and the listed municipalities.

Eligible Activities

• Design of PV systems;

• Supply and installation of:

  • PV modules

  • Storage batteries

  • Inverters (devices converting DC from panels into AC for the grid)

  • Supporting structures

• Connection to the electricity grid;

• Author and construction supervision;

• Commissioning of the system;

• Permits, fees, and project management.

  
  

Important Requirements:

• Systems must include both PV modules and batteries;

• Batteries must store energy for at least 1 hour at 100% capacity (or 2 hours at 50% capacity, or 4 hours at 25% capacity);

• Installation must be carried out by companies with certified staff listed by the Executive Agency for Sustainable Energy Development (EASED / АУЕР).

  
  

Funding

Total Budget

BGN 141,769,243 (~EUR 72,485,463), allocated by regions and components.

Grant Amount per Project

Component 1:

• Micro and small enterprises – BGN 100,000 to 500,000

• Medium enterprises – BGN 100,000 to 3,000,000

Component 2:

• Micro – BGN 300,000 to 6,500,000

• Small – BGN 400,000 to 6,500,000

• Medium – BGN 500,000 to 6,500,000

Funding Intensity

• De minimis aid (simplified state aid): 65% for all beneficiaries

• Regional state aid:

  • PV modules: micro & small – 65%, medium – 55%

  • Batteries: micro & small – 50%, medium – 40%

Project Duration

Up to 24 months.

How to Apply

Project proposals must be submitted online through the ISUN 2020 platform.

Funding Authority

Programme: Regional Development 2021–2027Priority: Fair TransitionProcedure: BG16FFPR003-4.011 – “Support for photovoltaic systems and installations in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises”

Application Deadline

24 March 2026, 17:00