Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2024
686. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the funding provided for the installation of solar panels on schools in Galway in each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32021/24]
View answerThe first phase of the Schools PV Programme was launched on 23rd November 2023.
It provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels and offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and their energy costs.
Each school which has been approved for funding under the programme is required to inform the Department when its installation has been complete. here has been a really positive response for solar panels from schools. To date, of the 1,100 schools which have been approved for funding, more than 500 have informed the Department that their installation is complete, 124 of these are in County Galway. This number will continue to rise as installations are confirmed.
The scheme is funded from the Climate Action Fund managed by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community. As an ongoing active delivery programme financial details are not being released at this time.
