A family from Serbia invested in solar panels in order to be energy independent

Nikola Rađenović from Belgrade, Serbia, decided to invest in solar panels in order to be energy independent and to reduce environmental pollution.

Through the GEFF programme for the Western Balkans, which contributes to the reduction of energy consumption, costs and carbon dioxide emissions, the Rađenović family installed solar panels in their family home.

The total value of the investment was €9,000, and the grant provided by the EU was €1,600. The family expects to pay off the investment in a period of 7-10 years, and maybe even earlier, given that the house is powered entirely by electricity from solar panels.

Solar panels now meet the energy needs of the entire household and there are no additional costs for electricity.

Serbia has plenty of sunny days and solar energy can be produced almost all year round. An average household in Serbia needs a solar power plant of 5 to 10 kilowatts. One such system can pay for itself for a period of 5 to 7 years. The installation of such a system is not complicated and is completed within a few days.