Serbia has introduced stricter regulations for solar power plants, particularly affecting medium-sized installations between 10.8 kW and 50 kW. These regulatory changes impact businesses and other prosumers and, more broadly, renewable energy investments across the country.

What Has Changed in Serbia’s Solar Regulations?

The Serbian Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure has recently adopted amendments to the Rulebook on Special Types of Facilities and Special Types of Works for Which It Is Not Necessary to Obtain an Act from the Competent Authority, stipulating that all solar power plants with an installed power greater than 10.8 kW, built for one’s own needs – with or without feeding electricity into the grid – must obtain a permit approving the execution of works.[1]

As a result, contrary to the previous, more lenient rules that exempted solar power plants with an installed capacity of up to 50 kW from such requirements (while even simpler rules for “small” ones below 10.8 kW remain unchanged), all solar power plants with an installed capacity exceeding 10.8 kW for personal use must now proceed from concept to completion through a stricter, more expensive, and less predictable administrative process.

What is The Impact of New Serbia’s Solar Regulations?

The new legislation primarily affects prosumers such as medium-sized businesses, agricultural operators, and even larger household prosumers, which have typically opted for “medium-sized” solar power plants with capacities between 10.8 kW and 50 kW. These installations, affected by the new rules, are now effectively treated the same as “large” plants exceeding 50 kW.

Indeed, these “medium-sized” plants have been the most common installation size for businesses and other legal entities becoming prosumers in Serbia, outnumbering both smaller installments (below 10.8 kW) and larger ones (above 50 kW).[2] This segment has, in fact, been the main driver of the overall growth of renewable energy projects in Serbia.

This new rule has created uncertainties regarding its implementation, including among local governments involved in the decision-making process. Consequently, as of early March 2026, Elektrodistribucija Srbije, the entity responsible for operating the electricity distribution system, has effectively suspended the connection of “medium-sized” solar power plants affected by the new law to the grid. This measure applies not only to new projects but also to those already in progress.

What This Means for Businesses and Other Prosumers?

While the new regulation has certain positive aspects, particularly in terms of improving oversight and ensuring the safety and stability of grid connections, its implementation, combined with the temporary ban on the construction of “medium-sized” solar power plants, gives rise to justified concerns that it may slow down project timelines, increase costs and delay the deployment of both ongoing and new solar power plants. The introduction of an additional layer of administrative red tape may also reduce the overall attractiveness of such investments. In this evolving regulatory environment, careful navigation of the new framework will be key to mitigating potential risks and safeguarding project viability.

By Dragana Nikolić and Antonia Smiljanić

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[1]       Elektrodistribucija Srbije, Registry of Prosumers, accessible at https://elektrodistribucija.rs/.
[2]       Official Gazette, No. 16/2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What has changed in Serbia’s solar power plant regulations in 2026?
Serbia has introduced stricter rules requiring solar power plants with an installed capacity above 10.8 kW and up to 50 kW to obtain a permit approving the execution of works, increasing administrative requirements and and adding complexity to project planning.
2. Are medium-sized solar power plants (10.8–50 kW) still exempt from permits approving the execution of works?
No. Under the new regulations, medium-sized solar power plants are no longer exempt and are now subject to similar procedures as larger installations.
3. Who is most affected by the new solar regulations in Serbia?
The changes primarily affect prosumers such as medium-sized businesses, agricultural operators, and larger households that typically install solar systems with an installed capacity between 10.8 kW and 50 kW.
4. How do the new rules impact solar investments in Serbia?
The new framework will increase costs, extend project timelines, and create uncertainty, particularly due to additional administrative steps and current challenges with grid connection.