Ireland Launches ‘Rooftop Revolution’ with Solar PV Grants

THE IRISH government has announced grants of up to €2,400 for the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels – for businesses, public organisations and community groups.

The new grant scheme will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It is estimated that a business might expect to save up to €3,000 per annum from a solar PV system supported under the scheme.

The announcement signals the latest phase in the government’s Micro-generation Support Scheme. The first phase of the scheme in December 2021, offered grants up to €2,400 for solar PV panels on domestic houses. In February an export tariff – the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) – was introduced for energy suppliers to pay micro-generators for electricity exported back into the national grid.

Ireland’s Rooftop Revolution

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan said: “This new support scheme is part of a wider roll-out of initiatives to make the installation of solar easier and more cost effective for homeowners, businesses and public bodies. It is Ireland’s rooftop revolution.

“With these grants, more businesses, organisations and community groups can start to take greater control of their energy costs by harnessing the power of the sun – providing for their own needs first, with the additional bonus of getting paid for excess energy that they might produce. With upcoming changes to planning exemptions, simpler grid application routes, export payment announcements, and capital supports from SEAI, it is an ideal time for anybody to consider going solar to save money and to help reduce our emissions.”

The new scheme will provide grant funding up to a maximum of €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV technology up to a maximum of 6kWp (approximately 16 solar panels over 25m²).

>> Read more about renewable energy and solar PV systems in the news