Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to his Department’s July 2023 solar PV registered installer list, the number of PV installer registration forms received and accepted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47016/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
My Department maintains a registered list of competent installers to carry out solar PV installations under TAMS 3. The latest version of the list is available on the Department’s website. Versions of the list has been posted on the Department’s website since 2019, when grant aid was made available for solar PV installations across all farming enterprises.
The current up to date total number of registered PV installers now stands at 187 compared to 171 installers included in the July 2023 list.
The safety of Solar PV systems, both at installation phase and for subsequent use by applicants of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is of paramount importance, and standards set out in technical specification S198 - Minimum Specification for the Installation of Solar PV Systems, which cover all relevant electrical and structural standards must be met.
My Department also required that Solar PV installers must sign off on a testing and commissioning report confirming that the system is ready for electricity generation in a safe manner in line with the latest applicable electrical standards.
