How does the agricultural producer program support renewable energy projects?

With the first intake under intervention II.D.1 “Investments in agricultural holdings” of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy, a concrete opportunity has already been opened for farmers to modernize their holdings. The application and implementation guidelines are published on the website of the State Fund for Agriculture, and the application is carried out entirely electronically through their Electronic Services System (ESS). The deadline for receiving documents is February 20, 2026.

This initiative enables farmers to modernize their farms, reduce their energy costs and achieve greater sustainability through investments in machinery, infrastructure, irrigation, improved animal welfare, as well as through the implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storage systems (batteries).

In the context of rising electricity prices and the need for energy security, the new program represents a strategic chance for the agricultural sector to move towards a more independent, efficient and green production model.

What does the farmers program fund?

This part of the program covers a wide range of investments for the modernization of agricultural holdings, including:

• purchase of new machinery, facilities and equipment, including agricultural machinery, precision farming systems, digitalization and process automation;
• construction, reconstruction and/or repair of buildings and facilities related to the production, storage and preparation of agricultural produce;
• investments in irrigation systems, establishment and/or replanting of perennial crops and other activities for sustainable resource management and increased biosecurity and animal welfare;
• investments for the production and/or storage of energy from renewable energy sources (RES) – for example photovoltaic systems and batteries – for the farm’s own consumption.

Investments in RES are only eligible for own consumption – the energy produced must cover the farm’s needs for production, storage and preparation for sale of the produce and cannot exceed these needs.

Important: only investments for the production and/or storage of energy from renewable sources, without other eligible activities (such as equipment, buildings, irrigation, perennial crops, etc.), cannot be financed independently – renewable sources and batteries must be part of a comprehensive investment project for the modernization of the farm.

It is permissible to add only batteries to an already installed photovoltaic system on the farm, provided that the need for storage and compliance with the energy profile of the farm is proven through an analysis prepared by a licensed engineer.

Who can apply for the agricultural producer program?

Eligible applicants under intervention II.D.1 are registered farmers – individuals, sole traders and legal entities, as well as organizations and groups of producers recognized by the Minister of Agriculture and Food. As of the date of submission of the application for support, farmers must have been registered as farmers under the Agricultural Production Act for at least 24 months, have an agricultural holding with a standard production volume of over 8,000 euros and submit a business plan proving economic viability and improvement of the activity through the planned investments.

The investments must be directly related to primary agricultural production, storage and preparation for sale of agricultural products included in Annex No. 6 to the Application Conditions, with the activities being implemented on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The minimum amount of eligible costs per application for support is BGN 29,337.45. The maximum amount of eligible costs per farmer under intervention II.D.1 for the entire programming period is BGN 1,955,830.

The financial assistance is up to 50% of the eligible costs. It may be increased by up to 25 percentage points for producer groups/organizations and by up to 10 percentage points for projects that are implemented entirely in sensitive sectors according to Annex No. 2 “List of priority sectors, crops and animals”, but may not exceed 65% of the eligible costs.

The total budget of the call is BGN 378,480,193.25, with a larger share of the funds earmarked for applications with investments entirely targeted at the sensitive sectors listed in Annex No. 2.

Why invest in renewable energy and batteries?

Investing in photovoltaics and energy storage systems designed according to the requirements of the farm’s own consumption program brings long-term benefits that go far beyond the initial financial support. It reduces electricity costs, limits dependence on volatile market prices, and supports sustainable production with a lower carbon footprint.

Storage systems allow for optimized use of the energy produced, shifting consumption to times of higher demand and contributing to a better energy balance on the farm. This way, farmers can manage their consumption more intelligently and rely on a stable energy base for every phase of the production process.

What should you prepare now to take advantage of the program?

To benefit from the opportunities of the agricultural producer programme, farms should start by analysing their current energy consumption and identifying the most appropriate efficiency measures. In the context of the requirements of intervention II.D.1, this includes preparing a technical and energy analysis to show that the planned photovoltaic system and batteries are tailored to the real needs of production and do not exceed the necessary amount of energy for own consumption.

Then, it is important to prepare a pre-investment concept, including a technical proposal for a photovoltaic system and batteries as part of the overall project (engineering, buildings, irrigation, etc.), as well as a financial plan with a calculated return and compliance with the business plan, which will be submitted with the application.

The approved investments under the application for support are implemented within 24 months, and for projects with permanent plantings and/or construction works requiring a building permit – within 36 months from the date of signing the administrative contract, but no later than September 1, 2029.

Навременната подготовка на оферти, енергийни профили и техническа документация, включително доказателства за права върху имотите и необходимите разрешителни, ще съкрати времето за подготовка на заявлението за подпомагане и ще намали риска от пропуски в процеса на кандидатстване.

How SolarHouse helps farmers

As a long-standing partner of the agricultural sector, SolarHouse offers a full package of solutions – from initial analysis and design to the construction of turnkey photovoltaic and energy storage systems. Our team performs a technical and economic assessment of the project, proposes an optimal configuration for your farm and works with experienced consultants in the preparation of application documents.

With SolarHouse, farmers can rely not only on technological expertise, but also on real added value – long-term savings, energy independence, and sustainable development of agricultural production.

Sustainable agriculture starts with smart energy

The new program for farmers is more than a funding opportunity – it is a tool to change the way agriculture manages its resources. Photovoltaics and batteries become a strategic investment that guarantees stability, efficiency and a future, regardless of energy fluctuations.