Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
224. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of microgeneration in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39479/22]
View answerThe phased introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) has begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI also are working to extend the solar PV grant to the non-domestic sector for installations up to 6.0kW, from August this year.
Up to the end of June this year the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for 11,581 homes since 2018, which has resulted in an installed capacity of domestic Solar PV of 45.1 MW. This translates to an average size of an installed system of 3.9 kW. Furthermore, SEAI target supporting 6,600 homes in 2022 to install Solar PV systems.
On the 15 February I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. I am aware that some suppliers have already advertised their CEG tariff, and eligible micro-generators will start receiving CEG tariff remuneration from 1 July depending on their billing cycle.
I understand that over 30,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 22,500 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the CEG tariff for their exported electricity.New installations greater than 6kW up to 50kW will be eligible for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported. The CEP will be €0.135/kWh in 2022, fixed for 15 years. It is expected that the CEP will be implemented further to a public consultation process to be undertaken by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Q3 this year.
