Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many local authority homes have been installed with solar PV to date in 2023; if there are plans to establish a dedicated stream for solar PV for the social housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48963/23]
View answerWorks eligible under my Department's revised Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER) as identified by the 2018 Cost Optimal calculations carried out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In certain circumstances, my Department supports the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social homes with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
Notwithstanding the eligible measures funded by my Department, local authorities can install PV Panels as they deem appropriate using funding from their own resources. Details in relation to this may be available upon request from the individual local authority.
Furthermore, under the Microgeneration Support Scheme led by Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Solar PV is available for all domestic premises.
