Under Law 4093/2012, a special solidarity surcharge was levied on producers of electricity from photovoltaic installations.
Historical Background (2012–2014)
This surcharge was calculated on the basis of revenue from the sale of electricity in the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014, and applied to installations already in operation, installations in trial operation, and installations whose grid connection had been activated.
The special solidarity surcharge was calculated on the basis of the feed-in tariff before VAT and amounted to:
- 25% for photovoltaic installations that entered trial operation, or whose grid connection was activated, by December 2011,
- 30% for photovoltaic installations that entered trial operation, or whose grid connection was activated, after January 2012, and whose feed-in tariff corresponded to the reference price in the table under Article 27A of Law 3734/2009 one month before February 2012,
- 27% for photovoltaic installations that entered trial operation, or whose grid connection was activated, after January 2012, and whose feed-in tariff corresponded to the reference price in the table under Article 27A of Law 3734/2009 for the period from February 2012 to 9 August 2012,
- 10% for the remaining renewable energy installations, as well as for combined heat and power (ΣΗΘΥΑ) installations.
By decision of the competent minister, the obligation to pay this special surcharge could be extended by a further year.
The surcharge was not levied on photovoltaic installations whose feed-in tariff corresponded to the reference price in the table under Article 27A of Law 3734/2009 for a date after 9 August 2012, nor on operators of rooftop installations (net metering).
Current Legal Regime (Update, June 2026)
The special solidarity surcharge described above has definitively expired, as it applied exclusively to the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014 and constituted an extraordinary crisis measure.
The framework currently in force for supporting and remunerating photovoltaic installations in Greece is as follows:
a) New Support System – Operating Aid (Law 4414/2016)
Law 4414/2016 abolished the fixed feed-in tariff system and replaced it with an operating aid system in the form of a sliding premium (Feed-in Premium – FiP). Under this system:
- producers sell the electricity on the market,
- they additionally receive a differential premium equal to the difference between the reference price (RP) and the market price,
- the reference price is determined by RAE through competitive procedures (tenders/auctions).
b) Competitive Procedures – Tenders
Since 2016, operating aid for new renewable energy installations has been allocated exclusively through competitive tender procedures, held by RAE on the basis of Law 4414/2016 and the corresponding ministerial decisions. These procedures take place regularly and cover various renewable energy categories.
c) Self-Supply – Net Metering / Energy Offset
The self-supply regime (net metering and energy offset) is governed by Law 4513/2018 and its amendment by Law 5037/2023, which has considerably expanded the capacity limits and the possibilities for virtual net metering.
d) Special Levy on Windfall Profits (2022–2023)
In the context of the 2022 energy crisis, a special levy on the windfall profits of electricity producers was imposed under Law 4986/2022, implementing Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854. This levy applied mainly to the period September 2022 – June 2023 and is unrelated to the earlier solidarity surcharge under Law 4093/2012. It has since likewise expired.
📌 Disclaimer:
The information above is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Greek legal framework for renewable energy changes frequently. For each specific project, it is recommended to check the legal framework currently in force and to consult a specialised legal or professional adviser.
FAQ
Under Law 4093/2012, a special solidarity surcharge was introduced, imposed on producers of solar electricity. It was calculated on the basis of revenue (feed-in remuneration before VAT) generated in the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014.
The surcharge applied to installations that were already in operation, were in test operation, or whose connection was activated during this period. The percentage rate depended on the date of commissioning or the applicable feed-in tariff:
- 25% surcharge: for installations that entered test operation or were connected by 31 December 2011.
- 30% surcharge: for installations from 1 January 2012, whose remuneration was based on reference prices from before February 2012.
- 27% surcharge: for installations from 1 January 2012, whose remuneration was based on reference prices between February 2012 and 9 August 2012.
- 10% surcharge: for other renewable e
Exempt from the payment obligation were:
- Rooftop installations: operators of photovoltaic installations on buildings did not have to pay this surcharge.
- Newer tariffs: installations whose feed-in remuneration was based on reference prices set for a date after 9 August 2012.
Yes, by decision of the Minister of Environment, the obligation to pay this special levy could be extended by a maximum of one further year. A further, permanent continuation was not provided for by law.
As of June 2026. All information on these pages is provided without guarantee or liability.