Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2022
176. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grant supports that are available for the installation of solar energy features to a home or to a business, indicating the support with or without battery storage; and if the level of support increases if it is part of a wider energy upgrade. [46492/22]
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 has also supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 12,000 homes since 2018, and with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout the year, we expect that grant applications could exceed 8,000 in 2022 alone. The SEAI will also be extending the Solar PV grant scheme to non-domestic applicants for installations up to 6kW by the end of September.
In relation to current Solar PV schemes with battery back-up, the SEAI undertook an assessment of continuing the previous battery grants under the MSS and found that with the current high cost of batteries, coupled with their low storage capabilities of only a few hours and their relatively short lifetime (currently in the region of 10 years); that a stand-alone battery grant did not represent efficient use of limited Exchequer funds.
It should be noted that micro-generation installations including battery storage systems are still eligible for grant support under the MSS but there is now no need to install a battery to avail of the maximum grant.
Moreover, maximising the consumption of self-generated electricity by installing a micro-generation system to meet the demand profile of your home or business, where possible, will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs. Furthermore, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG),any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.
