Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
147. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason not-for-profit community centres, sports clubs and small businesses can only get a grant of 20% for solar PV through SEAI, yet farmers can avail of grants of 60% through TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/23]
View answerMy Department has a range of supports for solar PV installations by homeowners and businesses of all sizes. The various Schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings – to drive energy efficiency and facilitate the installation of renewable technologies. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar PV (Photo-Voltaic) technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades. Capital funding of €68 million has been provided for the Community Energy Grant scheme in 2023, which is the largest ever budget for the Scheme.
The Community Energy Grant Scheme guidelines for 2023 have been updated to reflect the changing environment and ensure that the programme continues to target and support our communities by delivering significant energy savings as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
Non-domestic Solar PV projects will continue to be supported in 2023 through grant funding up to a maximum of 200kWp installed. As in 2022, larger systems can continue to be installed but with grant support limited to the maximum size. A grant support rate of 20% will be available to the commercial, agriculture, industry, warehouse, community entities. The criteria for non-domestic solar PV projects in 2023 has been informed by SEAI economic analysis which shows that while the viability gap after the clean export guarantee for solar PV systems varies across the size of system and sector, overall an industrial 250kWp system is considered already financially viable.
In addition, the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV (Photovoltaic) technology up to a maximum of 6kWp (Approx. 16 solar panels, 25m2). This includes small to medium-sized businesses, public organisations and community groups. Any excess energy can be exported to the grid with customers compensated for same by their electricity provider under the Clean Export Guarantee. The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff later in 2023.
The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators (SSGS) – i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the auction-based, utility-scale, Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). My Department is progressing the SSGS this year and is expected to become available later in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
