The Government approved the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) design on the 21st December 2021 to support 380MW of new micro-generation capacity by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan 2021. This would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum.
The first phase saw the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16th February 2022, with grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400.
The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22nd September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises, for installations up to 6kW.
An extended funding range from €2,700 to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes between 7 kWp and 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis to the end of 2023. This includes cohorts typically covered under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
The amendments to the scheme have led to a significant increase in uptake as follows:
Phase 1 (support of up to €2,400 for up to 6kW) – September 2022 to July 2023 (10 months): Approximately 100 applications, 600kWp, €240,000 grant offers
Phase 2 (support of up to €162,600 for up to 1000kW) – July 2023 to 8th October (12 weeks): 463 applications, 41,149kWp, €7.99 million grant offers
Since the scheme was amended 463 grant offers, totalling €7.99 million in Government MSS supports have been made, with an average grant offer of €17,257 across a range of commercial businesses, as well as Retail, Community and Agri sectors
