The subsidy scheme for solar panels has been launched for the second time, a day after the government raised by 362 per cent the rates at which Enemata buys energy from these green sources.

The subsidy, which covers half the cost of a photovoltaic system costing up to €6,000, is not on a first-come-first-served basis but is available to anyone who wants to apply between July 28 and 1 p.m. on August 10.

An application form is available on the Malta Resources Authority's website at www.mra.org.mt.

When first launched in February, the scheme was a sell-out with the 416 grants available being taken up hours after applications started being accepted. It was suspended shortly after it closed following allegations of irregularities.

The government announced it would re-launch the scheme again by the end of June but, on the deadline date, the Resources Ministry was forced to postpone again because similar allegations were made again against a company selling solar panels.

A police investigation was called, which is still ongoing, but the ministry chose to launch the scheme again yesterday.

Modifications have been made to ensure certain loopholes in the original scheme were closed.

In this connection, a spokesman for the Resources Ministry pointed out that those interested now had to submit their application personally rather than have their local council or supplier file it on their behalf. Moreover, the check-list is more exhaustive, eliminating the possibility of abuse.

The latest allegations of irregularities surround an agreement between a supplier, D&G Projects Ltd, and San Lawrenz mayor Noel Formosa to give the Gozitan village's residents the opportunity to invest in photovoltaic panels for just €1,000.

The residents would fork out €4,000 but be eligible for the maximum €3,000 refund because the company would issue an invoice for €6,000. The company's director, Godfrey Formosa, defended the scheme, saying the company would have subsidised the villagers who went for it because the system really cost €6,000. "This was a marketing strategy. We chose to offer them the system at €4,000 and fork out the other €2,000 ourselves," he said.

When the scheme was suspended in February, 80 of these applications were from San Lawrenz residents.