Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans to include solar power in the REFIT3 tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The REFIT3 scheme for biomass, which was opened in February 2012, is designed to incentivise the addition of 310 Megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity capacity from biomass technologies to the Irish electricity grid. Wind energy, hydro power and electricity from landfill gas are also supported under the REFIT1 and REFIT2 schemes.

Solar power is not currently supported by way of feed-in tariffs. However, grants are available under the Better Energy Homes scheme for homeowners to apply for €800 grant aid towards a solar thermal system.

In 2009, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) initiated a pilot microgeneration programme which involved 42 installations of various microgeneration technologies including solar post voltaic (PV). A final monitoring report on the performance of the installations and learning from the programme is awaited. This will inform future policy development.

SEAI has been asked to provide my Department with analysis of other means through which the microgeneration sector including PV could be supported, apart from through a feed-in tariff funded from the Public Service Obligation.