The Better Energy programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes solar grant is €800 for every eligible home where the installation of the system meets the installation requirements as set out in the Better Energy Homes Code of Practice. The requirements under Better Energy Homes are in line with the current building regulations in this area. The requirements are also set out in the Solar Buyers Guide which forms part of the Better Energy Homes scheme Application Form and Guide. SEAI advises that to meet the technical specification of the grant, the solar water heating installation must contribute a portion of renewable energy for domestic hot water heating depending on the floor area of the property (these figures are calculated in the Building Energy Rating (BER) software dwelling energy assessment procedure. SEAI further advises that where the applicant's property has a stated BER floor area of 268 sq. m., the solar installation must be sized to provide at least 2,000 KW hours per annum with the solar renewable energy contribution per year being verified by the chosen solar water heating installation company before installation commences. According to the SEAI, the information supplied for this property is that the installation only provides 797 KW hours per year as compared with a requirement for a property this size of 2000 KW hours per year. When the contractor returned this solar calculation information, it indicated that the installed system fell far short of the installation requirements and was therefore declined. Payment of this grant was declined by SEAI for failure to meet the technical requirements of the grant scheme and a letter confirming this was sent to the homeowner on 13 January 2012. My Department has asked the SEAI to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.