Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for the purposes of buying a generator for domestic use in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47363/22]
View answerThere are a wide range of capital supports funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Micro-generation has an important role in creating opportunities for homes, schools, community groups and small commercial customers to take the first steps towards investment in renewable technologies, by generating and consuming their own electricity, which can help offset rising electricity prices as well as decarbonise homes and businesses. The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants through the SEAI for domestic applicants for Solar PV installations up to 6.0kW, primarily for self-consumption. Grant amounts are up to a maximum of €2,400. The SEAI will also be assessing extending such support to other technologies under the MSS, including Micro-Hydro, Micro-Wind and micro-renewable CHP. Micro-renewable CHP excludes oil, solid fuel, natural gas and other non-renewable fuels as it does not reduce primary energy or CO2 and therefore does not align with the climate ambitions of Government as it would lock-in fossil-fuel technologies. The Government funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the SEAI. The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme provides increased grant levels of up to 50% (up from 30%-35%) of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home taking a step-by-step approach. Grant amounts have been significantly increased this year in line with the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme. The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty.
