By: M. D.
In early July, coalition MPs (Svoboda, SD, and Levica) passed a law on the introduction of devices for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. The law will serve as a basis for determining areas for solar and wind power plants.
The given law has been described as a lobbying law that will transform Slovenia into a land dominated by solar panels. Critics argue that the law is favourable to the GEN group, hence the nickname “Sun King” associated with Robert Golob.
The government, in its statement, mentioned that this law “for the first time in the country’s history, legalises the so-called regulatory sandboxes for testing new technologies.”
The law specifies the areas where solar power plants (panels) can be located, including:
– Roofs of larger buildings
– Paved parking lots
– Areas around energy facilities
– Areas of road and railway land
– Abandoned landfills and quarries
The law also mandates the compulsory installation of solar panels in new constructions, parking lot reconstructions, and buildings larger than 1000 m2, as well as on all existing structures exceeding an area of 1700 m2. All of these costs will be borne by the investors and property owners.
The law introduces the concept of “agrovoltaike”, which means that agricultural land will also be covered with solar panels. Additionally, surface mining heaps will be covered with solar panels, and floating solar power plants will be installed on artificial mining (coal mine) lakes in the Savinja-Šalek region. They will also be placed on closed landfills, as well as on noise barriers along highways.
Opposition parliamentary groups, such as SDS and NSi, opposed the law because it focuses too much on solar (and wind) energy and does not emphasise geothermal and hydro energy sufficiently. They argue that this law will override several other laws, such as environmental protection, spatial planning, and construction regulations.
In recent days, Slovenia experienced severe storms with strong winds and hail. Hail can also damage solar panels, but it has not been clarified by Golob’s government how the disposal of damaged panels will be handled. It is clear, however, that the owners will be responsible for the removal of damaged panels.
