As of July 2025, only 0.16% of residential houses in Serbia have rooftop solar power systems with prosumer status, compared to 4.5% in Montenegro. This difference is largely due to Montenegro’s more favorable legal framework and ambitious subsidy programs that allow households to install solar systems without upfront costs.
Since 2021, Serbia has registered 5,071 prosumers with a total installed capacity of 106.08 MW. Most prosumers are households (3,667), but they account for only 30.25 MW of capacity. The majority of capacity comes from public institutions and businesses. Serbia’s strategic goal is to install 500 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, primarily rooftop solar.
Montenegro’s faster growth in prosumer adoption is supported by extensive media campaigns and wider financial incentives through projects like Solari+. EPCG (Electric Power Company of Montenegro) offers fully subsidized solar system installation with users repaying the cost monthly at rates close to their previous electricity bills. This approach encourages efficient use of solar energy, often resulting in electricity bills near zero.
Montenegro continues to expand these programs, including larger-scale solar projects on unproductive land and water surfaces, supported by low-interest loans and subsidies from the Eco Fund and EPCG.
In contrast, Serbia offers limited subsidies—only for residential solar systems up to 6 kW covering half the costs. Regulatory and infrastructural challenges, including grid capacity and integration, require detailed analysis before broader adoption.
Montenegro’s model balances financial incentives with grid management by carefully assessing roof orientation, regional quotas, and consumption patterns to maximize efficiency and environmental impact.
For Serbia to accelerate prosumer growth sustainably, it needs comprehensive planning for grid upgrades, automation, advanced metering, and market models like aggregators and dynamic tariffs. This will help manage issues such as grid overload and ensure a successful energy transition.
