The new Green Savings program will likely start next Thursday

Prague - The acceptance of applications for grants not only for the thermal insulation of family houses within the New Green Savings (NZÚ) program is expected to start next Thursday. One of the significant new features will be the so-called continuous call, where grant applicants will not be restricted by a time limit for submitting applications, but will be able to submit them at any time during the program's duration. After the previous call, there are 216 applications for more than 55 million crowns waiting for funding in the reserve. These will be sent for review on Thursday alongside the announcement of the continuous call, said Petra Roubíčková, spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Environment, to ČTK.
    The Ministry of the Environment will publish news about the program on Wednesday. According to unofficial information, grants may be allocated to small rooftop solar power plants for family houses. They are also to be linked to grants for replacing old solid fuel boilers with more environmentally friendly sources, as the ministry has previously announced.
    In the first call of this year for the thermal insulation of family houses, which lasted two months, an increase of 900 million crowns was implemented. Homeowners of apartment buildings in Prague can still apply for more than half a billion crowns. According to the website of the State Environment Fund, the program is launched and will end on October 31.
    The ministry has already stated that in October, grants for boiler replacement will be linked to the NZÚ. This means people will have the opportunity to insulate their homes and also acquire a new heating source from the Operational Program for the Environment.
    The Czech Photovoltaic Association (ČFA) also proposed an investment grant from the NZÚ program for small rooftop solar power plants in 2016, up to 60 percent. According to ČFA's executive director, Petr Maule, it is correct for the state to start supporting modern photovoltaic technologies limited to a capacity of up to ten kilowatts. As reported by the daily E15, according to unofficial information, up to ten percent of the funds in the program should be allocated specifically for small plants up to 10 kilowatts and for photovoltaic water heating.
    The new conditions would thus continue the plan of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which is preparing to set a new target for installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants for 2020 as part of the update of the National Action Plan for Renewable Sources, significantly increasing the number of megawatts compared to previous levels.
    Already in spring, the fund introduced some novelties in the NZÚ. The program was more accessible to applicants compared to previous years. For example, they could also receive contributions for smaller energy modifications, such as replacing windows, doors, and partial insulation. The condition was a reduction in energy consumption by at least 20 percent.
    How much money will be in the NZÚ depends on the prices of emission allowances and the exchange rate of the crown against the euro. However, it can also be influenced by the plan for the reconstruction of government buildings, which the ministries of industry and finance have submitted for interdepartmental comment procedures. According to MF Dnes, they plan that funding for these reconstructions could also utilize grant resources from the NZÚ for the insulation of offices. Thus, there could be less money available for individuals. The ministries will still negotiate the conditions.