Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the incentives available for households and businesses to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35450/23]
View answerThe Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and is open to houses built prior to 2021. The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme. Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 22,500 homes, with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout 2022, reaching over 10,000 by year end. While the level of interest in 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. Additionally, on the 5th of April 2023 the Government approved an amendment to Finance Bill 2023 to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises.” On July 4th of this year, the Government also approved amendments to the existing Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to extend supports to a wider range of businesses and non-domestic applicants The new scheme amendments allow for the expansion of grant supports for installation sizes up to 1,000 kWp capacity – significantly above the 6 kWp limit previously under the scheme. By making grants available to the maximum range of businesses as part of a pilot programme, this also facilitates the assessment of the full level of demand across industry for solar PV solutions. This will also provide valuable data, regarding a potential multi-annual support for SMEs. The amended scheme will be available to businesses through SEAI from mid July 2023. The updated grants will be as follows: Up to 6kWp will remain unchanged up to €2,400, with an additional: €300/kWp for each extra kWp installed between 7kWp -20kWp €200/kWp for each extra kWp installed between 21kWp- 200kWp €150/kWp for each extra kWp installed between 201kWp-1000kWp This would mean that installations up to 1MW could be eligible for a grant of up to €162,600.
