Discounts

After the government’s announcement in mid-February that the purchase of solar panel hot water heating systems would be discounted by 50 per cent, which pleased both consumers and companies involved in solar technology, it seems that the discount may not be comprehensively available. In fact, so far it seems that only two companies can offer the discount and that other businesses may have to close down, according to the Portuguese Solar Energy Association (Apisolar).

At least two companies have signed agreements with the government, namely the Bosch group (who hold the brand Vulcano) and Ao Sol, which belongs to oil giant Galp, and it was also reported that Martifer was a third partner in the scheme. Chairman of Apisolar, Carlos Campos, believes the government’s idea is a good one but that the criteria applied in choosing partner companies is incomprehensible. One of the conditions imposed by the government was that the company carry out 2.000 installations a month, a condition which no company has fulfilled, not even the two with signed agreements. Economy Minister, Manuel Pinho, denied that there was any discrimination with regard to the protocols for the discounted sales, explaining that companies involved must assure the discount, the installation and installation guarantee, maintenance and a six year maintenance guarantee.