Subsidy for energy storage. How to submit an application correctly and avoid losing even 16,000 zł
The Home Energy Storage Program operates on a reimbursement basis. First, an investment must be made, covering the cost of devices and installation along with completing the necessary paperwork related to the setup. Only afterward can one apply for a refund of part of the incurred costs.
Filling out the electronic form is therefore one of the final steps. Prior to that, it’s necessary to check whether the device meets the program’s requirements and prepare a complete set of documents. How to do this correctly?
First, check if you qualify for a subsidy
The program is aimed at individual prosumers, that is, those who generate energy for their own use using micro-renewable energy installations connected to the grid.
The applicant should also be a party to the appropriate comprehensive contract or energy sales contract. It is therefore worth checking whether the details of the installation owner, the applicant, and the information in the documents are consistent with each other.
The date of investment is also important. Costs can be eligible starting from November 1, 2025. This means that the support is not intended solely for those who purchase a storage system after the application period begins.
The device and the entire installation must, however, meet the current program requirements.
At the time of applying, the investment should already be completed and paid for. Simply ordering a storage system, making a deposit, or signing a contract with an installer is not sufficient.
If the device was financed through leasing, it must already belong to the beneficiary before applying.
The storage system must have a capacity of at least 10 kWh
Before collecting attachments, it is advisable to carefully check the technical parameters of the installation. If the device does not meet the program’s requirements, a properly filled form will not resolve the issue.
The minimum nominal capacity of an electrical energy storage system is 10 kWh. The device must be new, manufactured no earlier than 24 months before installation, and permanently installed at a microrenewable energy system.
For one microrenewable energy system at a single power consumption point, one electrical energy storage system, the appropriate device that works with it, and one thermal storage system can be applied for.
Attention must also be paid to the relationship between the size of the renewable energy system and the storage system. The capacity of the energy storage system should be at least 2 kWh for every 1 kWp of installed capacity.
There is also a price limit for the storage system
The program sets a maximum cost for the storage system itself plus installation. This cost cannot exceed 3000 zł per 1 kWh of nominal capacity. Costs such as those for an inverter or EMS system are not included in this limit.
If the storage system has 10 kWh, the maximum cost for purchasing and installing the battery under this condition is 30,000 zł. It’s worth checking this before making a purchase. An overly expensive storage system may not meet the program requirements regardless of whether other conditions are satisfied.
Island mode and EMS are mandatory
The storage system must support island mode. This refers to the ability to supply power to a building in emergency situations even when the electrical grid fails.
The other essential component is the EMS energy management system. A simple app that shows the current battery charge level is not sufficient. The system should actually control the flow of energy between the renewable energy installation, the storage unit, and devices used in the household.
It is best to confirm these functions with an installer before purchasing the entire setup. If their absence becomes apparent only during documentation preparation, a redesign of the installation may be necessary.
Prepare invoices as well as payment receipts
The next step is to gather the financial documents. Invoices, receipts, or itemized statements for the equipment and work performed will be required. These documents should allow for an accurate determination of what was paid for. If one invoice covers several pieces of equipment and services without breaking down the costs, it may be necessary to prepare an additional cost breakdown.
In the case of a correction invoice, both the original document and its correction must be retained. However, the invoice alone does not yet confirm that the cost was actually incurred. For payment by bank transfer, a transaction confirmation is required. For cash payments, an appropriate KP document will be needed. If the purchase was financed through a loan, a bank confirmation indicating the payment must be available. The loan agreement itself is not proof of payment. Nor is it sufficient to rely solely on the information on the invoice stating that it has been paid.
Do not forget documents from the network operator
A separate set of attachments consists of documents from the distribution system operator.
A confirmation is required for connecting the micro renewable energy installation, as well as for registering or connecting an energy storage system. The documentation should include the energy supply point number,即PPE, along with all required technical data.
It is best to request the documents from the OSD well in advance. The time needed to prepare them may vary depending on the specific provider, and without them a complete application cannot be submitted.
The acceptance protocol must use the current format
An acceptance protocol for the installation also needs to be attached to the application. It should be prepared according to the current format in effect under the program. It must confirm not only that the work has been completed but also that the installation’s specified functions are operational.
The document should include information such as details about the EMS system and confirmation of island operation capability. It is simplest to prepare the protocol together with the company that installed it. If the storage unit was installed by yourself, you still need to prepare and sign the required document.
Take appropriate photos of the storage unit
NFOŚiGW also requires photographic documentation. However, it is not just about a photo of the completed installation. The devices must be identifiable in the photos. It is advisable to take a photo of the entire storage unit showing its trade name, as well as separate photos of the nameplates with serial numbers.
If the nameplates cannot be photographed, the device details can be confirmed with another appropriate document, such as a warranty card. The photos should not be edited further. The fund allows for their automatic verification.
You will also need the product cards for the energy storage system and inverter, and for heat storage systems, the appropriate documentation for that device as well.
A screenshot from the banking app is not sufficient
The subsidy will be deposited into the account specified in the application, so a document confirming the bank account number is required. It should be generated by the online banking system or issued directly by the bank. A regular screenshot taken from the banking app is not considered a valid document.
Download the latest forms before sending
Even if some documents have been prepared in advance, it is advisable to visit the program’s official website and download the current templates before submitting the application. This applies to items such as the receipt protocol, OSD certificate, power of attorney, and required declarations. Using an old form may result in the document being considered missing.
Attachments should be saved in non-editable formats such as PDF or JPG, and they must not be password-protected. A good approach is to prepare a separate folder with all documents in advance. This helps reduce the risk of attaching an incorrect invoice or an unreadable photo while filling out the form.
A power of attorney can cause problems
If another person submits the application on behalf of the beneficiary, a power of attorney will be required. This also applies when the spouse handles the formalities. Special attention must be paid to how the document is signed. If the power of attorney is signed manually, the applicant’s signature must be notarized. The absence of such confirmation may result in the application being rejected with no chance for correction. An appropriate electronic signature can also be used.
Go to GWD now
Once all documents are ready, you can start filling out the proper application in the Application Generator for Financial Support. After logging in, you need to select the appropriate program call for Home Energy Stores and complete the form.
The required information includes the applicant’s details, PPE number, microinstallation specifics, storage parameters, and data on project costs. The previously prepared documents are then added to the form. There is no need to complete the application in one session; you can save a draft version and return to it later.
Before signing, it is advisable to review all the data once more and open each attached document. Adding the wrong file could unnecessarily prolong the evaluation process later on.
A completed form is not yet an submitted application
This is one of the most important stages in the entire procedure. Simply filling out the form and saving it in GWD does not mean the document has been sent to NFOŚiGW.
The completed application must be electronically signed and then actually sent. Trusted profiles or qualified electronic signatures can be used for this purpose.
The deadline is determined by the date the document is sent, not when it was created or a draft version was saved.
After completing the process, it is necessary to check the status in GWD. A properly submitted application should display the status “Accepted by the Fund.” Only then can you be sure that the document was indeed submitted.
Still need to monitor deadlines after sending
Sending the application initiates its evaluation. However, the fund may request additional explanations or supplementary documents.
Therefore, it is important to regularly check both the GWD account and the email address provided in the application. It is also advisable to check the spam folder.
In principle, the application can be submitted for correction up to two times. There is a deadline of 10 working days from the day after the notice is sent to submit additional documents.
However, not all errors can be corrected. Some inaccuracies may result in the application being rejected without the possibility of making corrections.
If the Fund requests changes, the corrected form must be re-filled out, signed, and sent via GWD. Simply changing the data in the system is not sufficient.
What to check before clicking “send”?
It is advisable to conduct one final check before submitting the documents:
The investment is completed and fully paid,
The warehouse has sufficient capacity and meets technical requirements,
The required ratio of warehouse capacity to the renewable energy installation capacity is maintained.
The cost of the device is within the allowable limit,
the installation allows for island operation,
a proper EMS system is in place,
there are payment proofs for all invoices,
documents from OSD have been prepared,
The acceptance report was filled out using the current form,
photos help identify the devices and serial numbers,
The required technical documentation has been attached,
A confirmation of the bank account has been prepared,
Any power of attorney is in the correct format,
All attachments are readable and not password-protected,
The application was signed and sent,
A “Accepted by the Fund” status appeared in GWD.
The most work does not require the generator itself, but rather preparing consistent documentation for the investment. The data on invoices, OSD documents, acceptance reports, and product cards should correspond to the devices actually installed. If everything is gathered even before opening the GWD, submitting the application itself becomes much simpler.