On 19th December 2025, the procedure “Support for photovoltaic systems and equipment in small and medium-sized enterprises” (BG16FFPR003-4.011) was opened for applications. It is part of the Regional Development Program 2021-2027 and has a budget of BGN 141.7 million including funding from the Just Transition Fund.
The aim of the call is to encourage climate transition by installing photovoltaic systems and storage facilities in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the so-called “coal regions,” namely the districts of Stara Zagora, Pernik, and Kyustendil, as well as the 10 municipalities adjacent to Stara Zagora: Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Elhovo, Sliven, and Tundzha.
To support the local economy and the use of renewable energy, SMEs will install solar and storage facilities; produce energy from alternative, clean, and renewable sources; improve their energy independence; and increase the installed capacity for energy from renewable sources.
The measure will be implemented in two components:
Component 1 – construction of photovoltaic systems for self-consumption up to 1 MW. This component will be implemented in the municipalities in the three regions and the municipalities adjacent to Stara Zagora. The resources under the procedure will be distributed as follows:
• Kyustendil region – BGN 14.1 million;
• Pernik region – BGN 12.7 million;
• Stara Zagora region + 10 municipalities connected to the Maritsa basin – BGN 86.1 million;
Component 2 – construction of photovoltaic systems for energy sales up to 5 MW. This component will only be implemented in the municipalities of the Stara Zagora region and the 10 adjacent municipalities. The resources allocated here are for the Stara Zagora region + 10 municipalities connected to the Maritsa basin – BGN 28.7 million.
The amount of grant aid that an enterprise can receive is:
• micro and small enterprises under Component 1 – minimum BGN 100 000 and maximum BGN 500 000;
• medium-sized enterprises under Component 1 – a minimum of BGN 100 000 and a maximum of BGN 3 million;
• micro enterprises under Component 2 – a minimum of BGN 300 000 and a maximum of BGN 6.5 million.
• small enterprises under Component 2 – a minimum of BGN 400 000 and a maximum of BGN 6.5 million.
medium-sized enterprises under Component 2 – a minimum of BGN 500 000 and a maximum of BGN 6.5 million.
The intensity of the aid will depend on the selected state aid regime – between 40% and 65%.
The requirements for applicant companies will include being traders, conducting their main economic activity in a coal-mining area, and having achieved net sales revenue in 2024 as follows:
• micro-enterprise ≥ BGN 100 000;
• small enterprise ≥ BGN 250 000;
• medium-sized enterprise ≥ BGN 800 000.
Under the two Components it is mandatory the construction of the new photovoltaic installations to be combined with local facilities for storing the energy produced (batteries). The projects will also include design and other activities related to construction and connection. Expenses for long-term tangible and intangible assets, construction and installation works, design, construction supervision, commissioning, connection to the grid operator, etc. will be covered. Indirect costs are also eligible – up to 7% of the value of direct costs. The eligibility period for expenses will be until December 31, 2029.
Project activities may last up to 24 months, but no later than December 31, 2029.
>> The deadline for submitting project proposals is 5 p.m. on 24 March 2026 via the ISMM 2020 system.
>> Application documents and additional information can be found here.
