Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In light of this morning's historic, powerful and emotive address from President Zelenskyy and at a time of increasing pressure on homeowners, businesses and farmers, it is crystal clear we must do everything we can to starve Russia from its fossil fuel funds. One way we can do that is by increasing our rates of renewable energy production in any way we can. Each of us has a potential role to play in this. It can start very locally, on the rooftops of our homes in towns and villages across Ireland.

I have had a lot of inquiries from homeowners, many of whom are already benefiting from solar PV panels on their homes, asking when they will be able to avail of a payment for the excess energy produced. The answer is from this summer. The specific timing will depend on their billing cycle. Since 15 February, those who are generating excess energy from renewable microgeneration could be accruing credit. Depending on their contract and utility company, payment for excess is set to begin in the coming months. The clean export guarantee will allow customers with registered microgeneration devices to sell any excess electricity back to Ireland's electricity grid in return for payment. Energy companies are currently announcing the tariffs they will offer. This is a win-win for homeowners and renewables. It allows families to reduce utility bills while being paid for excess energy.

People can also avail of the SEAI microgeneration support scheme for domestic users, which opened in February. This offers grants to help to install solar PV panels on homes. I encourage all homeowners to explore whether it might work for them. One barrier which is proving difficult is the current need for planning permission for solar panels on roofs. This is something my Green Party colleagues in the Seanad have worked hard to move along. I hope the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will move quickly to complete the legislative changes needed. There is frustration which I share that similar schemes for non-domestic users such as schools and farms are taking longer. I believe solar energy generated on farms in particular will play a very significant role in our transition away from fossil fuels. I assure my colleagues in the Seanad that the Government is actively working on this issue. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities will consult on an implementation plan for the clean export premium tariff for larger non-domestic producers later this year. A grant scheme for non-domestic users is due to commence this summer.

In my own constituency, some public representatives have tried to claim the entire policy is failing miserably. This is disappointing and untrue.We will solve the issue. We have proven we can do it with the domestic scheme. I look forward to hearing the same public representatives herald Green Party policy when payments begin for non-domestic users in the coming months. Finally, I wish the students from Gorey Community College the very best with their Angus calves.