Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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619. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is expediting the refit for solar energy scheme; the number of beneficiaries and the funding granted to date. [19140/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The White Paper on Energy Policy includes a commitment to introduce a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) designed to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant, diverse and indigenous renewable energy resources, including solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The Programme for Government also commits to facilitating the development of solar energy projects.

My Department is currently undertaking in-depth economic analysis to inform the cost of a new scheme and, while no decision has been taken on the precise renewable technologies to be supported, the cost and technical viability of solar photovoltaic (PV) - both roof-top and utility-scale - is being examined as part of the assessment process.

Once the detailed economic analysis is complete, there will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new scheme. The details of this will be advertised on the Department’s website .

The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. It is expected that a new scheme will become available in 2017.

The Deputy may be also interested to know that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland currently provides supports for the use of solar thermal heating technology to both large industry and SMEs. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.