Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solar PV upgrades undertaken on an annual basis from 2020; the cost of those grants on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/23]
View answerThe Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme.
Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 29,456 homes, with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout 2022. As part of the transition between schemes, the minimum BER C3 requirement was removed and the eligibility of the homes was changed from those built prior to 2011, to those built prior to 2021.
Additionally, on the 5th of April 2023 the Government approved an amendment to Finance Bill 2023 to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises.”
In 2020 2,916 homes were supported at a cost of €7.4 million
In 2011 4,077 homes were supported at a cost of €9.4 million
In 2022 10,017 homes were supported at a cost of €24.4 million
So far 2023 has seen continued high demand that at the end of July 10,552 homes were supported already surpassing all of 2022 at a cost of €27.7 million and this level of demand is expected to continue for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, which indicates that the scheme is working well and citizens are recognising the benefits of investing in Solar PV.
The Non Domestic Solar scheme launched in September 2022 and there were 139 applications to June 2023 costing €21,600 in grants.
On July 4th of this year, the Government also approved amendments to the existing Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme, operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to extend supports to a wider range of businesses and non-domestic applicants. Since the amended scheme launch so far there have been 288 applications with a commitment of €5.5 million.
