FAQ

You can find all the details about financing your photovoltaic installation and current subsidy programmes on our subsidy simulator.

The approved energy adviser is responsible for:

• carrying out on-site energy consulting;
• drafting the "conclusive report" (a comprehensive inventory of the property in question, the content of which must include a description of the property, the date of the site visit, the energy performance certificate prior to the retrofit and an integral energy renovation concept);
• checking the conformity of the offers to the measures proposed in the above-mentioned energy retrofitting concept;
• checking the conformity of the implementation on site with the measures proposed in the energy retrofitting concept;
• drafting a final report that must be attached to the request for payment of financial aid; 
• completing the forms for the request for an agreement in principle and for the payment of financial aid.

The quality assurance system for approved energy advisers within the meaning of the Klimabonus subsidy scheme includes the following:

• verification of the basic qualifications of the energy adviser;
• verification of any additional qualifications of the energy adviser;
• checking and approval, prior to certification, of an energy consultation report for a retrofitting project;
• a timely and regular quality control system, including: 
  • quality control of the services provided by energy advisers;
  • checking compliance with the conditions associated with the ongoing training of energy advisers, and
  • implementation of a customer evaluation system.

Since January 2017, energy advisers have been able to obtain certification by submitting an approval application to the Environmental Administration. Approval is conditional on membership of the OAI (architect or engineer in accordance with the Law of 13 December 1989) or an authorisation in accordance with the Grand Ducal Regulation of 10 February 1999 on the approval of natural or legal persons, private or public, other than the State, for the performance of technical study and control tasks in the field of energy, as amended.

From 15 December 2018, approved energy advisers will have to join a quality assurance system in the field of energy and sustainability consultancy for residential buildings with a body contracted for this purpose by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure. 

Benefit from financial support of up to 50% of the investment cost!

Under Article 4(h) of the Law of 31 May 1999, as amended, establishing a fund for the protection of the environmental, municipal administrations, municipal associations and public bodies under the supervision of the municipalities may receive aid covering up to 50% of the investment cost for projects for the rational use of energy and the promotion of new and renewable energy sources. This financial aid is accessible to all municipalities, regardless of their commitment to the climate pact.

Yes, it is possible to recycle these batteries. It is regulated by the amended Law of 19 December 2008 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, which enacts European Directive 2006/66/EC into Luxembourg law. This directive requires at least 50% of the weight of batteries other than lead-acid and nickel-cadmium types, i.e. lithium-ion batteries, to be recycled.

The components that are currently most attractive for recycling are cobalt, nickel, copper and aluminium. In the medium term, the lithium recycling rate should improve to ensure supply.

For more information or instructions relating to the recycling of these batteries, which are considered to be industrial accumulators, please contact either SuperDrecksKëscht or the Ecobatterien asbl association.

To assess the environmental impact of batteries, it is necessary to take into account the rare and partly at-risk resources (lead, lithium, etc.) consumed, their origins and the mix of electricity used in the production of the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are made of cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium and lithium, as well as other materials. Among these materials, the availability of lithium in particular is a hot topic. Over the short term, reserves are sufficient to guarantee the manufacture of the batteries; nevertheless, it will be necessary to improve the recycling capacity of lithium to ensure supply over the medium term.

Analysis of the environmental impact of these batteries is currently a major topic of research. Although there have already been positive developments in terms of cost effectiveness, performance and the environmental impact of batteries, they are still under intense development and significant progress is expected in the near future.

Thin-film panels (i.e. cells made of copper, indium, gallium and selenium, known as CIGS, and CdTe) are becoming increasingly common. This technology allows for greater energy savings and reductions in environmental impact than the current types, as the production method is simpler and the need for raw materials is lower. These cells are already showing yields higher than 20%. In addition, owing to their slimness, these modules offer more flexibility in terms of installation, allowing for curved shapes or easier integration into a façade or roof.

Beyond current technologies, the development of what are known as multi-junction cells promises even higher levels of efficiency through the stacking of single-junction cells. These cells are composed of two or more different active layers that enable different parts of the solar spectrum to be captured.

Thin-film modules are already available on the market; however, these technologies are still being developed. Commercial maturity can be expected in the next few years. These multi-junction cells are currently still under development but should be available on the market shortly.

Yes, in general it is possible to repair them, with the exception of broken glass.

Currently, most panels destined for recycling are faulty panels or panels that have been damaged during transport. Where possible, therefore, repair is the best method of giving panels a second life, thereby extending the life cycle of panels that would otherwise be recycled.