Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
251. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding energy storage batteries being included as part of solar installations under the pathfinder retrofitting schools' projects; if this can be considered in conjunction with a scheme that would allow potential excess energy feedback to the grid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50954/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both national and international level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
My Department’s approach to the decarbonisation of the school sector is predicated on establishing a credible phased pathway to zero emissions, and meeting 2030 public sector targets through an evidence based approach, informed by the Department’s Energy Research Programme which has been in place from 1997 with fifty four different research strands.
Schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents, have been achieving A3 Building Energy Ratings since 2009, with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by the current Building Regulations. In addition, 10% of energy is provided via photovoltaics (PV) and infrastructure is provided for electric vehicle charging.
As part of our overall approach to sustainability in the school estate, it is intended that 6 kilowatt solar PV panels will be provided to schools, funded from the Climate Action Fund, which is under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
This is really positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.
The programme will fund up to 6kW of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels. Connection to the grid will be included, to allow unused solar energy to feed to the grid when schools are closed. This will enable schools to approach their suppliers for compensation for exports to the grid.
Monitoring software will also be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.
The parameters of the Schools PV Scheme have been agreed with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and further detail will be announced shortly. However, I can confirm that battery storage is not included in the scope of the School PV Programme.
Battery storage is a more complex way of storing any potential exported electric energy. A battery on the system means the battery will charge when the PV system is generating electricity which isn’t being used or exported, and then discharge when needed, normally that evening/night.
While a battery can increase the percentage of solar PV electricity used in a domestic situation, it is not viewed as suitable for schools at this time due to school operating hours. Instead, the focus is on ensuring that schools’ PV systems can export to the grid and that schools can be compensated for same by their electricity supplier.
