Retrofitting of Photovoltaic Panels on Heavy-Duty Transport Vehicles - 2024

The information included in this page is meant to provide information about this incentive scheme, without prejudice to any provision in the respective scheme as published on the government gazzette.

This financial incentive intends to promote the retrofitting of approved photovoltaic panels on heavy-duty vehicles and is aimed at undertakings established in Malta.

The grant shall support the retrofitting of approved photovoltaic panels on:

• Minibuses;
• Buses;
• Coaches; 
• Small Trucks;
• Trucks; 
• Semi Trailers and
• Trailer.

The Incentive Details

Subject to the scheme conditions, a grant amount equal to 15% of the investment cost required for the installation of approved photovoltaic panels shall be issued to the registered owners of the vehicles, without exceeding:

• €900 in the case of a Category M3 vehicle (Coach and Buses), N3 (Trucks) and Trailers (O4); OR
• €450 in the case of a Category M2 vehicle (Minibus), N2 (Small Trucks) and Small Trailer (O3).

Applicant are entitled for a maximum of 10 grants.

Persons who have retrofitted their heavy-duty vehicle with photovoltaic panels in compliance with the requirements set out in this document during the past years, and have not applied for a grant from the applicable grant schemes in the past, may still apply for the grant.

NOTE: The De Minimis Regulations* and the respective thresholds shall apply when scrappage grants are issued to undertakings established in Malta.

Applying to become an installer of approved photovoltaic panels

An undertaking wishing to start offerring the service of installation of photovoltaic panels on heavy-duty vehicles shall present Transport Malta with a written request in this regard, along with the following information:

1. The model or models of photovoltaic panels and any related equipment that the undertaking intends to start installing;
2. Technical documentation provided by the manufacturer of the panels proving how these panels and all related equipment can be installed safely on heavy-duty vehicles and how such installation can reduce the fuel consumption and environmental impact of the vehicles concerned;
3. Installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of the panels;
4. The details of the competent person or persons that the undertaking intends to employ or engage for the installation of these panels, along with written approval for each such person issued by the manufacturer of the photovoltaic panels;

Such requests shall be sent via email to this address.

Transport Malta shall process such requests and, where applicable, issue the applicant with an approval certificate for the installation of the proposed photovoltaic panels on passenger transport vehicles. Transport Malta reserves the right to limit such approval to specific categories or models of vehicles.

Applying for this incentive

An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made by the owner of the heavy-duty vehicle on which approved photovoltaic panels have been installed by submitting application form VEH072 along with any information, details and documents required therein.

In the case of an application within the scope of the De Minimis State Aid rules*, the State Aid Declaration VEH071 is also required.

Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working hours or mailed to Transport Malta’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU). For opening hours and addresses refer here.

*Depending on the sector of activity of the applicant, the De Minimis rules stipulated in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 2023/2831, Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 or Commission Regulation (EU) No. 717/2014 shall apply.

Page last updated: 12/03/2024