Grants and Subsidies for Solar Panels in Catalonia 2026
Last update: June 9, 2026
Content revised according to current regulations on self-consumption for companies and subsidies in Catalonia.
The energy transition in Catalonia has taken a strategic turn this year. With the new framework of Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, the former Next Generation subsidies have given way to a much more agile system based on personal income tax deductions of up to 60% and the monetization of savings through Energy Savings Certificates (CAE).
If you are looking for subsidies for solar panels in Catalonia, Fotovol will help you navigate between ICAEN grants and municipal subsidies so that your investment is minimal.
At present, any photovoltaic installation in Catalonia can benefit from three simultaneous ways of saving:
- State Deduction (IRPF): Recover up to €3,000 in individual homes or €9,000 in residential buildings if you achieve a 30% reduction in primary energy consumption (requires previous and subsequent Energy Efficiency Certificate).
- Local Incentives: Up to 50% rebates on IBI and 95% on ICIO in most municipalities (Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona, Lleida and municipalities such as Sant Cugat or Lloret de Mar).
- CAE income: A direct payment by the commercialization companies that rewards your efficiency from the first month, without the bureaucratic waits of traditional subsidies from the Generalitat.
At Fotovol, as specialists in the Catalan market, we not only install your panels: we manage your file with the Agència de l’Habitatge and the ICAEN to ensure that you do not lose a single euro of the subsidies available in 2026.
Are Next Generation funds still available for solar panels in 2026?
Next Generation funds as they were known until 2023 are no longer available for new applications in Catalonia. However, this does not mean you have run out of options — the system has evolved towards more agile mechanisms that are in many cases more financially advantageous.
The ICAEN Programme 4 is the current direct grant available in Catalonia, covering up to 40% of the installation cost. Applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis and funds are limited, so the sooner you submit your application, the better your chances of receiving the grant.
In addition, Royal
Decree-Law 7/2026 has replaced part of the direct subsidies with an income tax deduction system of up to 60% — in many cases more advantageous than the old grants because there are no waiting times for resolutions or application deadlines to meet.
Next Generation funds have closed, but in 2026 you can recover between 40% and 60% of your investment by combining ICAEN Programme 4, income tax deductions and municipal IBI and ICIO rebates.
Income tax deduction for solar panels in Catalonia 2026: how to recover up to 60%
Royal Decree-Law 7/2026 extends and prolongs the tax benefits for energy improvements in homes and buildings. Thanks to this regulatory framework, installing solar panels or aerothermal energy in 2026 can translate into personal income tax deductions of up to 60% of the investment directly in your income tax return.
1. Individual installations (in effect until 12/31/2026)
| Performance | Deduction | Maximum savings |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels (residential) | 10% | 1.000 € |
| Solar panels (building) | 20% | 1.000 € |
2. 20% deduction just for installing solar panels (no energy certificate required)
There is a deduction that many homeowners overlook because it rarely makes the headlines: you can deduct 20% of your solar panel investment from your income tax return without needing to obtain a prior Energy Efficiency Certificate.
This is the simplest and most direct option. You only need the installation to be properly legalised and to hold the Electrical Installation Certificate (CIE). Solar batteries are also included in the deductible base if they form part of the installation.
- The maximum deductible base is €5,000 per year per owner
- If the property has two owners, each applies their own base – the maximum saving doubles to €10,000
- If the deduction exceeds your state income tax liability, the remainder can be spread across the following four tax years
- The portion of the investment covered by public grants is not included in the deductible base
- Invoices must be paid by bank transfer, card or cheque – cash payments invalidate the deduction
This deduction is fully compatible with municipal IBI and ICIO reductions and with the ICAEN Programme 4, so you can combine all of them on the same installation.
3. Deep reforms (30% reduction in consumption or A/B label).
If the improvement achieves a reduction in non-renewable primary energy consumption of at least 30%, the deduction is triggered:
| Performance | Deduction | Maximum savings |
|---|---|---|
| Individual housing (until 12/31/2026) | 40% | 3.000 € |
| Residential building (until 12/31/2027) | 60% | 9.000 € |
You can see the technical details on the website of the Tax Agency (AEAT) and consult our guide on deductions in the IRPF of solar panels.
How to reach the maximum deduction? Installing only solar panels usually remains in the 20% range. To jump to 40% or 60%, the most effective strategy is to combine aerothermal + photovoltaic, as together they practically guarantee to exceed the 30% consumption reduction threshold required. If you already have electric heating, solar panels alone may be sufficient. In addition, adding an electric vehicle charger always adds an additional and independent 15% deduction.
Real example: how much you get back in total combining all the grants
To put the figures in context, here is a concrete case for a detached house in Barcelona with a 6 kWp installation:| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total installation cost | €9,000 |
| ICAEN Programme 4 grant (40%) | − €3,600 |
| Reduced 10% VAT (saving vs 21%) | − €990 |
| 20% income tax deduction (base: €5,400) | − €1,080 |
| 50% IBI reduction over 3 years* | − €450 |
| 95% ICIO reduction | − €171 |
| Real net investment | ≈ €2,709 |
IBI and ICIO rebates for installing solar panels in Catalonia
Catalan municipalities apply two additional tax credits that reduce the cost of your solar installation from day one: the IBI, an annual discount on your property tax for several years, and the ICIO, a direct reduction when processing the building permit. Both are fully compatible with each other and with the IRPF deduction, allowing you to accumulate the three benefits in the same installation.
IBI rebate (up to 50%)
The current regulatory framework legally enables municipalities to apply rebates of up to 50% in the Real Estate Tax (IBI) for periods of up to 5 years to those who install photovoltaic solar energy.
You can check the exact tax credit for your municipality in the tax ordinance in force through the websites of the local councils::
ICIO rebate (up to 95%)
The ICIO is a mandatory municipal tax that municipalities charge for the execution of any work in their locality, including the installation of solar panels. Its amount is calculated as a percentage of the total cost of the installation, usually between 4% and 5%.
It is a cost that many homeowners are unaware of because the installation companies do not include it in the initial budget, since it is a tax that is managed directly by the municipality. That is why it should be taken into account from the beginning.
The good news is that most Catalan municipalities subsidize it between 90% and 95% for renewable installations, which makes it an almost residual cost in practice.
You can check the exact tax credit for your municipality in the tax ordinance in force through the websites of the local councils::
Municipal guide: IBI and ICIO rebates in Catalonia 2026
| Province | Municipality | IBI reduction | Years | ICIO reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | Barcelona city | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | L’Hospitalet de Llobregat | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Badalona | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Sabadell | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Terrassa | 25% | 5 | 50% |
| Barcelona | Sant Cugat del Vallès | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Castelldefels | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Cornellà de Llobregat | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | El Prat de Llobregat | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Granollers | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Manresa | 50% | 4 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Mataró | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Sitges | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Viladecans | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Barcelona | Vilanova i la Geltrú | 10%-50% | 3 | 95% |
| Girona | Girona city | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Girona | Blanes | 30% | 5 | 95% |
| Girona | Figueres | 25% | 2 | 95% |
| Girona | Lloret de Mar | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Girona | Salt | 50% | 4 | 95% |
| Lleida | Lleida city | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Lleida | Balaguer | 50% | 5 | 95% |
| Lleida | Mollerussa | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Lleida | Tàrrega | 12%-20% | 4 | 95% |
| Tarragona | Reus | 50% | 5 | 50% |
| Tarragona | Cambrils | 5%-50% | 3 | 95% |
| Tarragona | Tortosa | 40% | 4 | 95% |
| Tarragona | Calafell | 50% | 3 | 95% |
| Tarragona | Tarragona city | No reduction | — | 95% |
Note: Can’t find your municipality in the table? Consult our specific guide for solar panel subsidies in Girona or contact us directly for your specific case.
ICAEN direct grants: Programme 4
The ICAEN (Institut Català d’Energia) maintains active the Program 4 of Incentives to Self-consumption, the only direct non-refundable aid in force in Catalonia after the closure of the Next Generation funds.
- Amount: Up to 40% of the total cost of the electric self-consumption installation.
- Beneficiaries: Individuals, homeowners’ associations and public administrations.
- Minimum investment: 1,000 €.
- Deadline for completion: The works must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Important: Applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis and funds are limited. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive assistance.
Direct income with CAE: the fast alternative to subsidies
A tax advantage that many are unaware of: the installation of solar panels on homes benefits from a reduced VAT rate of 10% instead of the general 21%.
This means direct and immediate savings on the total cost of the installation, without the need for additional procedures, energy certificates or resolution times. It is automatically applied to the installation invoice.
Example: For an installation of 7,000 € excluding VAT, the difference between applying 21% and 10% represents a direct saving of 770 € from day one.
Direct income with CAE: The quick alternative to subsidies in Catalonia
The CAE allows you to obtain direct financial compensation from the first month for the energy efficiency improvements made. Unlike subsidies, they do not depend on public funds or calls for tenders: the marketers “buy” the savings generated from you, so you receive the money quickly and safely.
RDL 7/2026 has increased the correction coefficients for the replacement of combustion boilers with heat pumps (aerothermal), which translates into greater and more immediate economic compensation.
- For all sectors: Applies to residential customers as well as industrial and commercial projects.
- The most cost-effective combination: Replacing a gas boiler with aerothermal energy and combining it with photovoltaic simultaneously allows access to the maximum IRPF deduction (40%-60%) and the direct discount for CAE in the same budget.
Accelerated depreciation for businesses (RDL 7/2026)
For companies, RDL 7/2026 turns investment in renewable energy into a highly profitable financial operation, not just a saving on the electricity bill.
- Benefit: Total amortization of the investment in only 1 year, instead of the usual 15 years. Equivalent to a direct return of 25% via corporate income tax in the first year.
- Eligible systems: Photovoltaic, aerothermal and electric vehicle chargers.
- Maximum investment: 500,000 €.
- Requirements: The company must be in profit, maintain the average workforce for 2 years and execute the investment before 12/31/2026.
Requirements to apply for subsidies for self-consumption and storage with renewable energy sources
Beneficiaries
- Individuals who do not carry out any economic activity through which they offer goods and/or services in the market.
- Local entities and the institutional public sector of any public administration
- Legal entities that do not carry out any economic activity through which they offer goods and/or services in the market.
- Individuals who carry out an economic activity
- Communities of owners.
- Renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities.
To start the application, it is necessary to access the portal of procedures of the Generalitat. You can consult information on aid for self-consumption and storage with renewable sources at the ICAEN.
Technical standards
In order to ensure the approval of the subsidy, it is essential to comply with the technical regulations established in the Official State Gazette (BOE):
- Energy Certificates: To have an EEC prior to the work (maximum 2 years old).
- Itemized budget: Invoices must comply with the requirements of the Addendum to the Recovery Plan.
- Legalization in RAC: The installation must be correctly registered in the Register of Self-consumption of Catalonia.
How much can I save with my installation?
The real saving depends on specific factors in each case: the installed power, the consumption of the property, the municipality and the current subsidies at the time of application. That is why in Fotovol we carry out a personalized and free economic study where we calculate:
- The personal income tax deduction applicable to your situation
- IBI and ICIO allowances of your city council
- Estimated savings on your annual electric bill
- The actual amortization period of your installation
The result: you know exactly how much you’re going to invest, how much you’re going to get back, and in how much time, before you commit to anything.
Grants for residents’ associations: what you need to know
Residents’ associations can access the same grants as individual homeowners, and in some cases on more advantageous terms because the deduction base is higher.
ICAEN Programme 4: Residents’ associations are eligible beneficiaries. The grant can reach up to 40% of the total cost of a collective self-consumption installation, with a minimum investment of €1,000.
Income tax deduction for residential buildings: If the installation achieves a 30% reduction in the building’s non-renewable primary energy consumption, the deduction rises to 60% with a maximum base of €15,000, which can be shared among owners across the following four tax years. This is the highest bracket available in 2026.
IBI and ICIO reductions: These apply equally to buildings under a residents’ association structure. Each owner can apply for the IBI reduction on their individual share.
Key requirement: The installation must be correctly registered with the Catalonia Self-Consumption Registry (RAC) and collective consumption must equal or exceed 80% of the system’s annual generation.
If you are a community president or property manager and want to assess feasibility, Fotovol carries out the technical and economic study at no cost and handles all the paperwork with ICAEN and the Agència de l’Habitatge on your behalf.
Request your free study
In Fotovol we help you to know all the grants available in Catalonia and in your municipality. We carry out the economic study, manage the permits and process the subsidies for you.
Frequently asked questions about solar panel grants in Catalonia
Can several subsidies and allowances be combined?
Yes, it is possible and advisable to carry out a strategy of hybridization of incentives. You can combine municipal bonuses (IBI and ICIO) with the IRPF deduction and direct subsidies managed by the ICAEN. However, the sum of the subsidies cannot exceed the total cost of the investment.
Is a building permit required to install solar panels?
Yes, in Catalonia it is mandatory to obtain a building permit or a responsible declaration, depending on the municipality and the type of installation.
In most single-family homes this is a minor work, but each municipality applies its own regulations.
How long does it take for grants and allowances to be applied?
The terms vary depending on the incentive:
- Tax rebates (IBI/ICIO): They are applied almost immediately or in the following tax period after municipal validation.
- Direct subsidies: The resolution and award period usually ranges from 2 to 6 months at the most, depending on the saturation of the managing body.
Are solar panels tax deductible in 2026?
It is not a problem for your profitability. In 2026, the biggest savings come not from direct subsidies (which often have waiting lists), but from the combination of the IRPF deduction, IBI/ICIO rebates and the new CAE (Certificados de Ahorro Energético) system.
Do I have to pay the tax authorities for receiving a subsidy for solar panels?
Next Generation Recovery Plan (Next Generation) grants are exempt from taxation as capital gains. However, they must be subtracted from the basis for the personal income tax deduction.
Example: If the work costs €10,000 and you receive €2,000 in aid, you can only apply 40% or 60% on the remaining €8,000. If the client deducts more than €10,000, Hacienda will fine you.
What happens if the call for direct grants is closed?
Even if the funds for direct aid are temporarily exhausted, local subsidies (IBI/ICIO) and personal income tax deductions (in force throughout 2026) are still available. For example, Fotovol prepares your technical project so that you can be one of the first to apply for new grants as soon as the ICAEN opens new calls for applications.
Are homeowners' associations eligible for these subsidies?
Totally. There are specific programs for collective self-consumption that cover both the common installation and the individual derivations. In addition, each neighbor can individually apply the IRPF deduction corresponding to their participation coefficient in the installation.
How much does the tax authorities refund for the installation of solar panels?
The tax authorities can refund up to 60% of the investment if the installation is part of an energy improvement that reduces non-renewable primary energy consumption by 30% or improves the building’s energy rating to class “A” or “B”.
Who is in charge of all the bureaucratic paperwork?
As EPC photovoltaic engineering, Fotovol is in charge of the integral management “turnkey”. We carry out from the technical design and execution to the presentation of energy certificates and the processing of each of the subsidies and bonuses before the city council and the Generalitat.