Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
185. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will introduce a grant towards the purchase of battery units for solar panels, which provide electricity at night-time and create the opportunity to sell excess solar electricity to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51322/22]
View answerThe phased introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) has already begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last and the extension of capital grants for non-domestic installations up to 6 kWe in September. Grant levels for both are up to a maximum of €2,400 and are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). In relation to grants specifically for battery units purchased with Solar PV systems, the SEAI undertook an assessment of incorporating stand-alone battery grants into the new MSS Solar PV Grants 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 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. While the very strong level of interest in grants offered under the MSS indicates that the scheme is working well, its operation and effectiveness will, like all such schemes, be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
