The government has extended assistance it gives for the purchase of photovoltaic systems and solar water heaters.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said €3.8 million were being allocated for the former and €4.2 million for the latter.

He said the photovoltaic systems scheme would be open to everyone and eligible applicants would receive a grant of up to 50 per cent of their capital expenditure up to a maximum of €3,000.

The solar water heaters scheme would be limited to:

• families entitled to the energy benefit;

• those who receive supplementary assistance;

• families entitled to fixed children’s allowance, namely when their income was less than 23,923 euros;

• all Gozo residents to continue strengthening the eco‐Gozo concept;

• low‐income families; and

• first‐time buyers buying a property whose value did not exceed €120,000.

The grants on solar water heater systems would be 40 per cent of the expenditure, up to a maximum of €560.

The project would be spread over three years, and it was anticipated that in the case of the solar water heater systems, around 2,500 families a year would benefit, while in the case of the photovoltaic systems, around 400 families a year would benefit.

The minister said the government was also drawing up a call for tenders for those interested in installing and operating systems which generated electricity through photovoltaic panels.