Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any grant aid programmes currently within his Department or due to come online shortly which provide funding for assisting persons in the sourcing, purchasing, construction or installation of solar panels and associated technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6231/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Better Energy Homes scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of my Department, offers a financial incentive to homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). The grant available for the installation of a solar thermal system is €1,200.

I have recently requested SEAI to commence a review of all measures that are supported through the energy efficiency schemes and the results of this review will inform any future measures that may be offered through the scheme.

For businesses, the Accelerated Capital Allowance is a tax incentive for companies paying corporation tax and aims to encourage investment in energy efficient equipment. It allows companies to write off 100% of the purchase value of qualifying energy efficient equipment against their profit in the year of purchase. Eligible equipment can be chosen from the Triple E register and includes solar heating and photovoltaic technologies.

Current Building Regulations also require that a certain proportion of the energy consumption to meet the energy performance of a new dwelling is provided by renewable energy sources. Solar technologies can be used to help meet this contribution. SEAI also maintains an online guide to solar electricity and solar heating. This information is available on their website.