Romania is redirecting its residential clean energy strategy by suspending the Casa Verde solar subsidy program and shifting its focus toward energy storage systems. According to the Environmental Fund Administration (AFM), the incentive scheme will not be implemented this year, with available funds being redirected to infrastructure projects. Under the country’s new strategy, which targets more than 250,000 prosumers, a budget of €76 million is expected to be allocated for integrating battery storage into existing solar installations. The move signals Romania’s transition from simply expanding solar capacity to improving grid flexibility and maximizing self-consumption efficiency.
The Romanian Ministry of Environment is introducing major changes to the Casa Verde program, which since 2018 has covered up to 90% of residential solar installation costs. After being suspended last year due to limited financial resources, the program’s budget for 2026 has been reassigned to water and wastewater infrastructure projects. However, authorities intend to transform the initiative from a solar installation support scheme into a battery storage incentive program aimed at the country’s rapidly growing community of more than 250,000 prosumers.
Irene Mihai, Policy Director of the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA), confirmed that despite the second consecutive postponement of Casa Verde, support mechanisms for prosumers will continue through alternative channels. She noted that a similar program financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Facility offered 90% funding support in 2025. For 2026, approximately €76 million is expected to be allocated to convert existing residential and commercial solar systems into hybrid installations. The new funding model is primarily intended for consumers who already have rooftop solar systems installed.
Public support in Romania is gradually evolving from expanding solar generation capacity toward increasing system flexibility and self-consumption through battery storage. According to data from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), prosumers have already installed approximately 850 MW of battery energy storage capacity. Industry experts emphasize that storage technology is no longer viewed as an optional add-on but rather as an essential component of efficient and resilient rooftop solar systems.
Over less than four years, the Casa Verde program contributed to the installation of more than 3.7 GW of solar capacity among prosumers. Romania added a record 2.2 GW last year, pushing total installed solar capacity above 7 GW. Since 2023, the sector has expanded by roughly 1 GW annually, and despite the absence of Casa Verde incentives, the rooftop solar market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
