Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
104. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered installing solar panels on public buildings to aid in the switch to renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he has taken to promote the installation of solar panels on public buildings to aid in the switch to renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43498/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
There are currently a range of measures underway to support the rollout of solar PV in Ireland, including for public buildings.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants for non-domestic applicants, including public buildings and schools, for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW, primarily for self-consumption, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. This scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will become available to non domestic applicants in September. Suppliers are now obliged to offer a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they receive payment for excess renewable electricity that they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. More information is available at: Clean Export Tariff - Commission for Regulation of Utilities (cru.ie).
In Q3 of this year ,the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is due to consult on an implementation plan for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff, a guaranteed export tariff support for new installations, fixed for 15 years, for non-domestic MSS applicants for installations greater than 6.0kW up to 50kW in size. The Climate Action Plan commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators (SSG) above 50kW to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV. This is expected to come into effect in 2023. My Department launched a public consultation on proposed design elements of the SSG scheme which is open until the 29th September: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/353f2-consultation-on-a-small-scale-generation-support-scheme-ssg-in-ireland/
Solar PV is also supported as one of a range of measures under the SEAI's Communities Energy Grant Scheme as part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. This scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types, including public, commercial and community buildings. A budget of €43 million has been provided for this in 2022.
In addition, the Public Sector Schools Pathfinder Programme, co-funded with the Department of Education, provides capital supports to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise school buildings. Solar PV is one of the measures supported under this scheme.
