Czech solar market sees sharp drop in home installations as subsidy ends, battery storage surges

In the first half of 2026 the Czech residential photovoltaic market contracted by 50 % compared with the same period in 2025, with only 6,191 new home systems (about 50 MWp) connected. The decline followed the abrupt suspension of the "New Green Savings" subsidy programme, which left many installation firms without financing. Jan Krčmář, executive director of the Solar Association, described the halt as "liquidating for many firms" and called for sustainable support, such as interest‑free loans and possible VAT reductions.

At the same time, battery storage projects expanded rapidly. An additional 318 MWh of stationary storage capacity was connected in the first half of the year, an 83 % year‑on‑year increase. Seventy‑six per cent of new photovoltaic installations now include storage, and 86 % of all new PV plants are built with battery systems. Jan Fousek, chairman of the Solar Association, noted the "huge interest in battery storage" but warned that the market is approaching saturation and that banks, including Česká spořitelna, are pulling back from financing new battery projects.

The government plans to introduce at least interest‑free loans from September to stimulate further uptake, but industry leaders stress the need for a balanced, long‑term support scheme to avoid another prolonged slowdown.