Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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570. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will be publishing the solar photovoltaic systems tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5656/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to facilitate the development of solar energy projects in Ireland. This builds on the Energy White Paper and recognises that solar has the potential to provide a community dividend, thereby also enhancing citizen participation in Ireland’s energy future. With this in mind, Solar Photovoltaics (PV) - both utility-scale and rooftop - is one of the technologies being considered in the context of a new support scheme for renewable electricity generation which is under development by my Department.

The renewable technologies under consideration were identified following a public consultation engagement in 2015, which received over 800 responses. Subsequently, the development of the new renewable electricity support scheme requires detailed economic analysis on the viability and cost effectiveness of supporting these renewable technologies. This analysis and assessment is currently underway and a second public consultation will be published in Q2 2017 outlining various scheme design options.  However, before any new scheme is introduced, it will need to secure Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. The new support scheme for renewable electricity is expected to become available towards the end of 2017.