Solar Panels in Cyprus - The Ultimate Guide

Due to the the high number of sunny days, solar systems in Cyprus tend to perform better than comparable systems in many parts of Europe. This makes it more cost-effective to install a solar system in Cyprus compared to other countries, such as Germany or France. It is possible to save the money you spent on a solar system through reduced electricity bills in a shorter timeframe. In spite of these great underlying conditions, most of the electricity in Cyprus is still produced by burning fossil fuels. By getting a solar system installed, we believe you can combine saving money with doing good for the planet.

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with easy step by step instructions you can follow to get your residential solar system in Cyprus up and running.

1. Understand Net Metering

The best way for private owners to run a solar system for residential buildings in Cyprus is under the Net Metering Agreement. Under this agreement, the electricity produced by your PV system is credited against the electricity you consumed. To achieve the optimal outcome under this scheme, you should produce an amount of energy that is equal to - but not higher than - your consumption. The reason is simple. If you produce less than you consume, you have to pay for the electricity consumed that exceeds your production. If you produce more that you consume, you will not receive any payment for the excess production. The excess production will be carried forward as electricity credits to the next billing cycles. So the first important step is to plan the size of the solar installation according to your consumption.

2. Figure out how much electricity you consume

Use your electricity invoices as guide. The electricity authority will look at your last 6 invoices to take the average of them and allow you up to 90% of that consumption as installed kwp size of the solar system. If you do not live in your house for 6 billing periods you can still get the solar system approved, you just might need to prove your consumption is high enough for the PV system size you apply for.
Note down your yearly consumption.

3. Check if your house has 1-phase of 3-phase electricity

The reason this is important is that it might limit the possible size of the installed system.
If you have 1-phase, the limit you can install is 4,15kwp
If you have 3-phase, the limit you can install is 10,4kwp
As 4,15kwp is not enough for most people to cover their electricity consumption, it is likely that you will need to update your house to 3-phase electricity before you can install a solar system with a size that covers most or all of your consumption.

4. Request Quotes From Different Solar Installers

We learned ourselves that the process of getting quotes from different installers and comparing them is not easy in Cyprus. We did our best to digitalize and streamline the process, and you can use our free quote request tool under "Request Offer" and you will get quotes from different installers directly to your inbox.

5. Choose a way of financing

The most popular method is a simple cash purchase. It is the most economic method if you can afford the high one time investment. You invest once but after that initial investment, you're done and the electricity comes almost for free after that payment.
Financing a PV system with a loan is another option, that can make sense in specific circumstances.
There is also the option of leasing, where you pay monthly rent for the panels.
And there are also power purchase agreements (PPA). Under a PPA, you do not pay for the solar system. In fact the PV system is on your roof but is owned by a company. You pay a reduced price for the electricity produced by the solar system. After a couple of years, you have the option to buy the system from the company. There are installers that offer these agreements with different terms.

6. Obtain permits and approvals

Your installer will help you guide through the process and help you with the communication with the electricity authority.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Copies of last 6 EAC bills
• Copies of Title deed for all owners
• Copy of Topographical plan
• Copy of Building permit
• Owners consent letter (only needed in case of multiple owners, for example appartment buildings)
• Copy of Certificate of permanent residence or Yellow Slip
• EAC Application form signed by customer
• EAC personal data handling Agreement

Also, there is an application fee of:
€250 + VAT for systems up until 7.14kwp
€307,02 + VAT for systems over 7.14kwp

7. Installation of the PV System

If your supplier has the panels and inverter ready he will come and perform the installation. But don't be happy just yet. It will not be turned on before the Electricity Authority performs their inspection. The Electricity Authority will also come on a seperate date and install a smart electrical meter that can measure the electricity flow in both ways.

8. Inspection by Electricity Authority and activation of the system

The inspector will inspect the electrical installation of your PV system. If everything is fine, the system will be turned on after that.

9. Monitor production

Most modern inverters offer a mobile app and web dashboard where you can monitor the production of your PV system.

10. Make use of government grant programs

The Cyprus RES and Energy Conservation Fund has multiple programs that you might be eligible to participate in. The programs can be seen on this website: https://www.resecfund.org.cy/en/sxedia
For example, for houses built before 01.01.2017, you can get funding of €375 per kW for your PV system, with a maximum amount of €1.500. If your house is located on the list of mountainous areas, the amount is 50% higher. The list is also available on the above website. Your installer will be able to help you with the application for the grant. The application can only start after the Electricity Authority sent you their letter after the successful inspection of the PV System, so you will receive this money months after the system is installed.