If you reside in Vlaanderen and plan to install solar panels, you may be eligible for the Fluvius Solar Panel Grant. This one-time investment grant is available if you get your solar panels inspected before January 1, 2024. The Flemish Government announced in the September Statement of 2023 that the grant will cease from January 1, 2024.
The Fluvius Solar Panel Grant is capped at a maximum of 40% of the investment cost (including VAT). The final amount depends on the capacity of your installation, with a maximum of €750 for 2023. Here are the amounts summarized:
| Installation Capacity | Grant Amount (Up to 4 kWp) | Grant Amount (4 kWp to 6 kWp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €150 per kWp | €75 per kWp |
For instance, if you install a 3.6 kWp system with 12 solar panels in 2023, each panel having a capacity of 300 Wp (watt-peak), you will receive a grant of €450 for the first 3 kWp and €90 for the remaining 0.6 kWp, totaling €540.
Once your solar panels are installed and inspected, you must register your installation with Fluvius within 30 days. Often, your installer will take care of this. After registration, you can apply for your investment grant on the Fluvius website, requiring copies of invoices and your installer's RESCERT number.
If your property in Vlaanderen is more than 10 years old and used primarily for private purposes, you can benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 6% instead of the standard 21% on both material and labor costs for solar panel installations. To qualify for the reduced VAT rate, your solar panels must be installed by a certified installer. You can find an installer in your area through our free quote service.
IMPORTANT: Starting from April 1, 2022, the reduced VAT rate on solar panels was temporarily extended to new-build homes and houses reconstructed after demolition. This measure is in effect for a period of 2 years and will end on December 31, 2023.
If you have solar panels and were financially affected by the discontinuation of the reverse meter, you may be eligible for the Retroactive Investment Premium. This premium ensures a 5% return on the average investment. It is calculated based on a reference installation, taking into account the year of commissioning, the year the digital meter is installed, the capacity of the installation, and all solar panel grants you have received.
Not everyone can apply for the Retroactive Investment Premium. Certain conditions apply:
NOTE: If you still have a traditional meter, you should wait for the rollout plan of the digital meter in your municipality. The premium application must be submitted no later than 6 months after the installation of the digital meter, but by December 31, 2025.
You can apply for the Retroactive Investment Premium online through Fluvius. To do so, you need to provide an official invoice and/or an AREI inspection certificate. Solar panel owners with traditional meters can apply up to 6 months after the installation of their digital meter.
If you wish to voluntarily install a digital meter ahead of schedule, contact Fluvius. Individuals who request a digital meter themselves between July 19, 2021, and December 31, 2023, are entitled to a bonus of €100 in addition to the Retroactive Investment Premium amount.
If you intend to install solar panels on an uninsulated auxiliary building (e.g., a shed) that still contains asbestos-containing materials, you can apply for the Asbestos Removal Grant in conjunction with solar panels.
The grant for asbestos removal amounts to approximately €12 per square meter (excluding VAT), provided you meet all the conditions. You can receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the total invoice amount for asbestos removal and disposal.
TIP: You can combine this grant with the Fluvius Solar Panel Grant for non-residential buildings (maximum of €1,500) and the green energy call.
To be eligible for the grant amount, you must meet the following conditions:
IMPORTANT: Both the asbestos removal and the installation of solar panels must be carried out by a professional. If not, you will not receive the grant. Get in touch with a solar panel installer active in your region to apply for the grant.
You can apply for the grant online through the Fluvius website. The application process consists of two steps:
Activate the grant by March 31, 2024. Attach a signed quote or purchase order and an advance invoice (at least 10%) for asbestos removal and disposal (from 2022 or 2023).
Once the asbestos removal is completed and the solar panels are installed, you can finalize your grant application by March 31, 2026.
This comprehensive guide covers various incentives available for solar panel installation in Vlaanderen in 2023. Make sure to explore these opportunities to support your transition to renewable energy and enjoy the benefits of solar power while contributing to a greener future.