Romania is shifting its renewable energy strategy by pivoting away from direct household solar installation grants toward supporting battery energy storage systems. The Environmental Fund Administration has decided against running the Casa Verde photovoltaic program this year, opting instead to redirect funds toward water and sewer infrastructure. With over 250,000 prosumers already established in the country, the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests intends to repurpose the initiative into a grant scheme specifically for battery storage, aiming to enhance grid flexibility and increase self-consumption for those who have already invested in rooftop solar technology.
The Casa Verde program, which launched in 2018, was instrumental in the rapid expansion of Romania’s solar sector, covering up to 90% of system costs for homeowners. While the program faced suspension last year due to financial constraints, its impact was significant, contributing to the installation of more than 3.7 GW of solar capacity in under four years. Despite the program’s absence, the market remains robust, with Romania reaching a record 2.2 GW of new solar installations last year and a total cumulative capacity exceeding 7 GW.
Industry experts suggest that the transition toward storage is a natural evolution for the Romanian market. Irene Mihai of the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association noted that public support is moving from simple capacity expansion to improving the resilience of existing systems. A proposed budget of €76 million is earmarked for 2026 to support the hybridization of residential and commercial installations through battery storage. This focus on storage is intended to help prosumers maximize the efficiency of their existing PV setups, with approximately 850 MW of battery energy storage system capacity already deployed across the country.
Although the new battery-focused grants may not match the massive deployment levels previously driven by Casa Verde, officials expect the market to remain strong. Growth in the rooftop solar segment has remained stable at roughly 1 GW per year since 2023. By prioritizing storage, Romania aims to foster a more mature energy landscape where battery technology is viewed as an essential component of a reliable rooftop PV system rather than a mere accessory. Detailed eligibility criteria for the upcoming storage program are expected to be finalized as the government continues to refine its support for energy prosumers.