Residential solar panel owners in Cyprus faced repeated production cut-offs in the past month, with some systems taken offline up to 17 times in 30 days, according to EAC data covering the period from April 4 to May 4, 2026.
The figures, gathered by Phileleftheros, show cut-offs ranged between 15 and 17 times across 20 groups of residential solar installations. In most cases, systems were taken offline roughly every other day — and sometimes on consecutive days when electricity consumption was particularly low. Of the 20 groups, 14 recorded 16 cut-offs, five recorded 17, and one recorded 15.
Why do cut-offs happen?
The Distribution System Operator applies curtailment procedures when there is a technical need to maintain grid stability and safe operation. Cut-offs are triggered when electricity consumption falls significantly below production levels. With rising temperatures pushing consumption patterns lower at certain times of day, the curtailments have been becoming more frequent.
The practice is not unique to Cyprus — cut-offs are applied in European countries with more developed grid infrastructure. However, their frequency could be reduced through energy storage, grid reinforcement, or electrical interconnection with other countries.
With residential solar installations expected to reach 100,000 units, the cut-offs could become even more frequent under current conditions, according to the data.
What can owners do?
Solar panel owners can legally avoid cut-offs by applying to convert their connection to a zero-export arrangement, under which energy produced is used exclusively for self-consumption and is not fed into the grid.
Zero export can be set up in two ways. The first is permanent zero injection, where the system operates solely for the property’s own needs with no export to the grid. The second is occasional zero injection, where the system can export energy when conditions allow but switches temporarily to zero injection when required for grid balance and safety.
Does it make financial sense?
Converting to zero export requires modifying the solar system and installing specialist equipment, including a smart meter. The total cost can approach €500, including the device, additional materials, and labour, according to the previous report.
For the average household, the financial loss from cut-offs remains limited, according to technocrat estimates. Based on an indicative calculation — a household consuming around 300W per hour during a four-hour cut-off at €0.29 per kWh — the loss per cut-off works out at roughly €0.34. Even with repeated cut-offs, the estimated annual loss does not exceed €20.
On that basis, technocrats consider conversion to zero export unlikely to be recouped by the average household for many years. Battery storage is similarly not considered an economically attractive option for residential systems, with costs running at €700 to €800 per kWh.
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