Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
63. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the solar PV scheme for schools will be amended to include free-standing solar structures as well as roof-top structures, given many schools could benefit from a dual-function structure as part of their solar PV deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56341/23]
View answer67. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the schools PV solar panel support scheme to include panels installed on secondary structures where the existing roof is not suitable to take panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56525/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together.
The Climate Action Fund, which is administered by my Department, is providing funding to the Department of Education for the Schools Photovoltaic Programme. The Department of Education is managing the programme and has made detailed guidance documentation for schools and contractors available on the gov.ie website.
Schools applying for funding under this programme must have appropriate roof areas to accommodate 6kW of PV. It is not currently proposed to extend the scope of the programme to include panels installed on secondary structures where the existing roof is not suitable to take panels.
