Hungarian Solar Market. Current situation in 2013 and expectations for 2014.

Hungary has good potential for the use of solar energy, as the number of sunny hours in Hungary is between 1,950-2,150 per year at an intensity of 1,200 kWh/m2 per year. However Hungarian photovoltaic market is not developed. At the end of 2012 the solar PV market in Hungary has 6 MW cumulative installed capacity. The main reason behind the slow market expansion is the low and non-functional feed-in tariff: there is a mandatory buy-back of the solar electricity, but feed-in tariff is only approximately € 0.11/kWh, and time of payback is not guaranteed. Therefore it's not a classic FiT, and also not moving the market. There is plan to introduce a "classic" feed-in tariff in Hungary for years, however in early 2013 was again postponed, and it can’t be expected before 2014.

The National Energy Strategy by 2030 of Hungary (adopted on February 2012) aims to ensure a reliale, efficient and environmentally friendly energy supply. the main objectives are the implementation of an energy efficiency policy, especially  in teh power sector and in buildings, and teh restructuring of teh energy supply (increased use of renewables and of domestic fuel resources). The energy strategy alos focuses on "zero carbon" transport, energy efficiency in industry and in district heating and educational programmes. Investments in renewable energy are supported through grants from the Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Operative Program (EIOP). As planned in teh National Energy Conservation Program 2008 (NEP 2008), investments in facilities producing electricity from renewables are eligible for subsidies covering 25% of the investment.

By the end of 2013 no major expansion is expected in Hungary according to the research department of Inea Consulting Ltd. for two reasons: one is the above delay of the FiT, and the other that today's commercial solar PV market in Hungary is largely based on EU subsidy programs. The latest subsidy program was several times delayed and just recently opened, and because of the long administrative lead times most of these projects will come online only in 2014. Research analysts of the company predict also that residential PV market will remain at low volume, only supported by net-metering system on a yearly based clearance, which became interesting recently, as module prices dropped to that level where LCOE costs became comparable to the residential electricity prices.

More information about current development and future trends of Hungarian photovoltaic (solar PV) market you may read here: CEE & SEE Countries Photovoltaic (Solar PV) Market Outlook 2014 - 2025