Grants and Subsidies for Solar Panels in Catalonia (2025)

Do you want to know what grants you can apply for to install solar panels in your home or community? Check all active subsidies in Catalonia for 2025.

IBI (Real Estate Tax) Deductions

One of the most interesting incentives at the municipal level for the installation of solar panels in Catalonia is the rebate on the Real Estate Tax (IBI). This aid is designed to encourage photovoltaic self-consumption in residential homes.

What does the IBI rebate consist of?

The majority of town councils in Catalonia offer a 30% to 50% discount on the annual IBI bill for a period ranging from 3 to 5 years, although in some cases it can be up to 12 years.

Municipality % Bonus Applicable years
Barcelona50%3 years
Girona50%5 years
Lleida50%5 years
Tarragona50%5 years
Terrassa50%5 years
Sabadell50%5 years
Reus50%5 years

Important: The bonuses vary according to the municipality and its tax ordinances. It is recommended to consult directly with your municipality or check their official website.

What are the benefits?

  • Direct savings in the annual IBI tax.
  • Faster amortization of the investment in solar panels.
  • Improves the value of the home.
  • Contributes to sustainability and environmental care.

What documentation is usually requested?

The usual documentation includes:

  • Building permit
  • Certificate of completed installation
  • Legalization of the installation (CIE, RAC, RITSIC)
  • Current IBI receipt
  • Specific application or request from the municipality

At FOTOVOL we help you to manage this process easily and quickly.

Does your municipality offer a bonus?

Consult the updated map of subsidies by municipality in Catalonia:

Map of IBI rebates for self-consumption

What if your municipality does not offer it?

Claim it! You can contact your local council or contact municipal representatives to include these measures in their tax ordinances.

Deductions on ICIO (Tax on Construction, Installations and Works)

What is the ICIO and how does it affect your photovoltaic installation?

When you carry out a work in your home -such as installing solar panels- you must pay the Tax on Constructions, Installations and Works (ICIO). This municipal tax can increase the initial costs of the project, since it is calculated as a percentage of the material execution budget of the installation.

Did you know that you can save between 50% and 95%?

Many municipalities in Catalonia offer rebates of between 50% and 95% of the ICIO for self-consumption installations with solar panels. This means a direct saving in the procedures and helps to make the amortization of the installation even faster.

Municipality% ICIO rebate
Barcelona95%
Girona95%
Lleida95%
Tarragona50%
Sabadell95%
Mataró95%
Reus50%

Important: These bonuses depend on the tax ordinances of each municipality and may change annually.

How to apply for the ICIO rebate?

  1. Apply for a minor construction permit or urban development permit.
  2. Submit budget and technical report of the photovoltaic project.
  3. Consult and take advantage of the bonus established in the current municipal ordinance.
  4. Apply for the bonus at the same time of applying for the license (in some municipalities it may be automatic).

At FOTOVOL we can help you to process this bonus in your municipality and reduce the administrative costs from the very first moment.

Does your municipality offer ICIO rebate?

Consult the website of your city hall or contact us and we will inform you about the specific conditions in your area.

Personal income tax deduction for the installation of solar panels in Catalonia (2025)

In 2025, you can benefit from significant income tax deductions of up to 60% for improving the energy efficiency of your property in Catalonia, within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) promoted by the European Union and the Government of Spain.

General requirements

  • Ownership: You must own the property (primary or secondary residence).
  • Deadline for installation: Before January 1, 2025.
  • Required energy improvement:
    • 30% reduction in non-renewable primary energy consumption, or
    • Obtaining an A or B energy certification.

Deduction brackets and limits

DeductionEnergy efficiency requirementWho can applyDeduction limit
20%Minimum reduction of 7% in heating/cooling demandIndividualsUp to 5.000 €.
40%30% reduction of non-renewable energy or class A/BIndividualsUp to 7,500 €.
60%Energy class A or B in residential buildingsCommunities of ownersUp to 15.000 €.

To benefit from the deduction, it is mandatory to present an energy efficiency certificate that certifies the improvement achieved after the installation.

Tax rebates on economic activities (IAE) for solar energy

Some municipalities in Catalonia offer rebates on the Economic Activities Tax (IAE) to companies that invest in photovoltaic solar energy installations. These subsidies seek to encourage self-consumption and sustainability within the local business fabric.

What requirements must be met?

  • Be registered in an economic activity related to solar energy or that uses solar energy in its operation.
  • Make an effective investment in renewable energy systems (self-consumption, energy efficiency, etc.).
  • Apply for the bonus at the corresponding city hall within the stipulated deadlines.

Important: The bonuses are regulated by annual tax ordinances, so it is advisable to review the updates that each municipality publishes as of January 2025.

What percentage can be credited?

  • The IAE rebate may vary between 10% and 50%, depending on local regulations.
  • Not all municipalities apply it, and the exact conditions may differ considerably.

Where to consult and how to process it?

Check the tax ordinances of your municipality or contact your local finance or environmental department.

At FOTOVOL we help you to identify the current subsidies and prepare the necessary documentation to present it correctly.

Reduced VAT for solar installations in Catalonia (2025)

In Catalonia, the reduced VAT rate of 10% remains in force in 2025 for certain solar installations, but only in specific cases. This tax benefit allows the cost of the investment to be reduced when certain conditions are met, as defined by the VAT regulations (Law 37/1992).

Cases in which the reduced VAT rate of 10% is applied

  • First delivery of a new home:
    If you buy a home directly from the developer or build one from scratch (new construction), and a solar installation is included, a reduced VAT rate of 10% is applied to the entire transaction.
  • Refurbishment or renovation of the usual dwelling:
    If the photovoltaic installation is included in a refurbishment, and its cost does not exceed 40% of the total budget of the work, 10% is also applied.

What should you keep in mind?

  • The reduced VAT does not apply if the solar installation is done on a stand-alone basis without major works.
  • It must be a regular dwelling, not premises or an industrial facility.
  • It is essential that the supplier invoices correctly by applying the reduced rate when applicable.

The reduced VAT rate is only applied in specific cases (first delivery of a home or renovations where the solar installation represents less than 40% of the total cost of the work). In the majority of standard installations on homes already built, the general rate of 21% applies.

Reduction in the urban development tax for the installation of solar panels

When applying for a minor works permit or a responsible declaration to install solar panels, many municipalities apply an urban planning fee. This fee covers the administrative and technical costs of the urban planning authorization.

Tax rebate or exemption

In Catalonia, many municipalities partially or totally subsidize this tax, especially in energy self-consumption projects. In some cases, the reduction can be up to 100%.

MunicipalityUrban development tax rebate
BarcelonaUp to 100%.
GironaUp to 100%.
SabadellPartial (according to budget)
ReusPartial

Caution: This is not an automatic or uniform assistance. Each municipality has its own ordinances and requirements.

How to apply for the bonus?

  • To present the request of work or responsible declaration.
  • Indicate that it is a self-consumption solar installation.
  • Consult if the city council foresees a reduction or exemption.
  • In some cases, it is automatically applied when the documents are submitted.

Do you need help with the process?

At FOTOVOL we take care of managing all permits.

Free depreciation in corporate income tax for renewable energies

Until December 31, 2025, companies will be able to benefit from the freedom of amortization in investments for renewable energy installations. This measure seeks to promote energy self-consumption and contribute to sustainability.

  • To qualify for this incentive, the facility must replace fossil fuel-based systems.
  • The maximum amount of subsidized investment is 500,000 euros.
  • The company must maintain its workforce for at least 2 years.

Next Generation EU funds for solar installations (updated 2025)

European Next Generation EU funds have been one of the main sources of financing for renewable energy installations in Spain, including the installation of solar panels, batteries and self-consumption systems.

These funds have promoted thousands of residential and business projects in Catalonia and the rest of the country.

Current situation in 2025

  • During 2023 and 2024, the funds were exhausted due to high demand.
  • The European Commission has approved its continuation until 2026.
  • The new overall budget amounts to 70 billion euros for the EU as a whole.
  • The official announcement for Spain has not yet been published.

What kind of support is expected?

  • Subsidies of up to 40% of the cost of the photovoltaic installation.
  • Storage battery support.
  • Available for individuals, communities of neighbors and companies.

What can you do now?

We recommend:

  • Prepare in advance the technical documentation of your installation.
  • Contact FOTOVOL so that we can notify you as soon as the new call for applications is published.

Important: Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted. Being prepared makes the difference.

New support for energy storage

In 2025, specific subsidies are expected for the installation of storage batteries, facilitating the use of solar energy.

  • Coverage: A subsidy of up to 40% of the cost of the storage batteries is foreseen.
  • Beneficiaries: Households, companies and communities of neighbors that already have photovoltaic systems installed.
  • Requirements: Batteries must be integrated with certified solar systems.

A management plan detailing the storage and use of the energy generated must be submitted.

Frequently asked questions about grants and subsidies for solar panels Catalonia

  • Individuals: They can access deductions of up to 60% if they make improvements that increase the energy efficiency of their home.
  • Communities of neighbors: In residential buildings, communities can benefit from the same 60% deduction as long as they reach the energy efficiency targets.
  • Companies: They are also eligible for tax incentives if they invest in the energy optimization of their facilities, contributing to lower consumption and greater sustainability.

Generally, it is required to submit energy efficiency certificates, building permits and other specific documents that may vary depending on the assistance requested.

  • Achieve a reduction of at least 7% in global annual energy demand for heating and cooling, or reduce non-renewable primary energy consumption by 30%.
  • Improve or replace components of the thermal envelope, optimizing their thermal transmittance and air permeability, according to the specifications of Tables 3.1.1.a-HE1 and 3.1.3.a-HE1 of Basic Document DB HE.

Some grants are time-bound or subject to the availability of funds. It is advisable to regularly consult the official websites of the relevant agencies or subscribe to newsletters to keep up to date.

It is advisable to consult with professionals or companies specialized in solar installations such as Fotovol who are aware of the current regulations and the specific requirements for each type of aid.

The time it takes to grant and pay the subsidies for solar panels in Catalonia, and specifically in Girona, usually ranges between 3 and 6 months. This period may vary depending on the administrative burden and the correct presentation of the required documentation.

Subsidies received for the installation of solar panels are considered a capital gain and, for this reason, must be declared in the Personal Income Tax (IRPF). The amount to be declared will be the monetary amount of the subsidies obtained and must be included in the capital gains section of the period in which the payment was received.

How to maximize your savings? A real case in Barcelona

Let’s take the example of a single-family house in Barcelona with a self-consumption photovoltaic installation. The following subsidies are currently in force in this municipality:

  • 50% IBI rebate for 3 years
  • 95% ICIO rebate
  • 95% reduction in the urban development tax
  • 40% deduction in personal income tax, provided that energy efficiency requirements are met.

In this case, the initial cost of the installation was €7,500. Thanks to the available rebates and deductions, the direct savings exceeded €3,000, reducing the final investment to less than €4,500.

In addition to these initial savings, monthly electricity costs are practically eliminated, which further accelerates the return on investment.

Remember: these conditions are only available until the end of 2025 and may vary depending on the municipality. If you want to know how much you can save, contact the FOTOVOL team for free and personalized advice.

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Sources of interest

For more information about grants and subsidies for solar panels in Girona: