Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have considered including solar panel systems in the warmer home scheme provided through the SEAI, to ensure that those with the lowest income and most vulnerable persons have the ability to install solar panels which will help this cohort manage the extortionate energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/23]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 150,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme.
The scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle and best practice.
The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. Currently these can include:
• Attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• Wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• Secondary measures – lagging jackets, draught proofing, energy efficient lighting;
• In certain circumstances: heating system replacements (including heat pumps where appropriate), window replacements where the wall is being insulated
Currently, there are no plans to include solar panel systems in the scheme.
Separately, there are already supports in place to assist homeowners with the cost of installing Solar PV:
• The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV (Photovoltaic) through the SEAI. Any excess energy can be exported to the grid with customers compensated for same by their electricity provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.
• Recently the government agreed to reduce the VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels to zero for private dwellings from 1 May 2023. This will result in a significant reduction in the installation cost for households. This is a permanent change that came into effect from 1 May 2023. This measure underlines the Government’s commitment to help households to save money on their energy bills.
• SEAI are also currently finalising a scheme to provide Solar PV to vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices. This €20m scheme is targeted to provide direct support to vulnerable customers who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand.
