Austria: More Than 43,000 Applications for Solar Subsidies in Ten Minutes

Austria plans to change its solar subsidy model from 2027, with a greater focus on energy storage, smart energy management and support for the electricity grid. The planned reforms follow strong demand for subsidies, with more than 43,000 applications recorded in the first ten minutes of the third funding call for 2026.

According to the Austrian Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism, around 19,600 tickets were recorded within the first minute of the third funding call for solar systems, which opened on 8 October. After five minutes, the figure had reached approximately 40,800. Within ten minutes, around 43,300 tickets had been recorded, significantly more than the approximately 24,900 recorded during the same period in the second funding call for 2026.

The authorities emphasise that these figures are provisional and do not mean that all applications have been formally submitted or that funding has been approved. Despite the heavy demand, the information technology systems of the Austrian company OeMAG operated without disruption. The third subsidy call closes today, 22 October 2026.

Elisabeth Zehetner, State Secretary for Energy, said that the current model no longer meets market needs, as the application process has turned into a race to submit requests as quickly as possible. According to her, the aim of the reform is to enable businesses and households to plan their investments more effectively, rather than making success dependent on the speed of application.

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Energy Storage at the Heart of the New Model

The change in subsidy policy is also linked to the decline in solar system prices and their growing share in Austria’s energy mix. As solar power generation expands, aligning electricity production, storage and consumption is becoming increasingly important.

Under the proposed changes, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from 2027, once a project has been completed and the final invoice issued. This would replace the current system of fixed funding calls, in which the order of applications plays a key role.

Existing investment subsidies for solar power systems are expected to be replaced by incentives for energy storage systems. Support will focus on new battery storage installations, as well as upgrades to existing solar installations, combined with intelligent energy management and solutions that contribute to electricity grid stability.

The ministry states that the specific conditions and details of the new model are still being finalised, while the necessary legislative amendments are also being prepared. A two-thirds majority in parliament will be required for their adoption.

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