5. Application Procedure for the Installation of Photovoltaic Plants in Greece according to Law 3468/06
(Modified in June 2010 by Law 3851/2010)
Note 1: Law 3468/06 was modified in June 2010 by Law 3851/2010. However, since permits under the provisions of Law 3468/06 are still in circulation today, being traded and sold on the Greek market, we continue to consider the following statements regarding Law 3468/06 prior to the modification by Law 3851/2010, as expedient and necessary.
After the adoption of Law N. 3468/06 and the publication of relevant Ministerial Decisions, the procedures for the approval and installation of photovoltaic plants in Greece had changed.
Below we offer a summary of the procedures based on the legislation in force at the time. The decisive parameter for the procedures listed is the output of the respective photovoltaic plant. Accordingly, photovoltaic systems in Greece are differentiated into three capacity-relevant categories.
Note 2: This article is also available for download in PDF format under the title Application Procedure for the Installation of Photovoltaic Plants in Greece.
5.1. Photovoltaic Plants with an Output of Less than 20 Kilowatts (kWp)
| Not Required | Required |
|
Permit for Energy Generation Installation Permit Operating Permit Exemption by the RAE from the obligation to acquire a Generation License, except when concerning stations installed on non-interconnected islands with grid saturation, which is determined by a RAE decision Building Permit Permit for Environmental Conditions, provided the system is not installed within NATURA 2000 areas, national forests, traditional settlements, and areas of archaeological interest. |
Connection contract with the DEI, whereby a certificate of suitability from the building authority is also required Contract for the purchase of electricity with the DESMIE (or with the DEI for islands not connected to the Greek interconnected grid) |
5.2. Photovoltaic Plants with an Output of 20 to 150 Kilowatts (kWp)
| Not Required | Required |
|
Permit for Energy Generation Installation Permit Operating Permit Building Permit |
Exemption by the RAE from the obligation to acquire an Energy Generation License Permit for Environmental Conditions Connection contract with the DEI Contract for the purchase of electricity with the DESMIE (or with the DEI for islands not connected to the Greek interconnected grid) |
5.3. Photovoltaic Plants with an Output of Over 150 Kilowatts (kWp)
| Not Required | Required |
|
Building Permit There is no exemption from the obligation to acquire a Building Permit for the construction works as well as for the buildings housing the control facilities and transformers |
Energy Generation License Installation Permit Operating Permit Permit for Environmental Conditions Contract for the purchase of electricity with the DESMIE (or with the DEI for islands not connected to the Greek interconnected grid) |
Legend:
– DEI = Public Power Corporation
– DESMIE = Operator of the Greek Electricity Transmission System
– RAE = Regulatory Authority for Energy
Useful Notes
- Photovoltaic plants with an output of up to 500 kilowatts (kWp) are classified as “non-disturbing activities” (for higher output they are of “low disturbance potential”), according to the joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) of 04-11-2004 (D6/F1/Oik.19500). Consequently, the installation of these photovoltaic plants is permitted in areas within approved urban planning zones, within the borders of settlements with less than 2,000 inhabitants or those existing since before 1923, and also in areas outside an approved building plan.
- For the installation of photovoltaic plants in Greece, the choice of plots of land on highly productive agricultural land must be avoided.
- The installation of photovoltaic systems in Greece is permitted in traditional settlements, historical districts, and listed buildings after approval by the National Energy Regulatory Authority (EPAE) regarding integration into the environment.
(Status: Law 3851/2006 mid-2007. Note 1 Status 2011. All information provided without warranty or liability)