Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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777. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the envisaged expenditure of the small-scale solar energy generation scheme due for launch in 2018; if it is capped; the anticipated average grant; the number of anticipated beneficiary households in phase 1; and if this is capped. [11824/18]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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778. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projected timeframe and budget for the small-scale solar energy generation scheme and when it will be expanded to businesses and farmers. [11825/18]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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788. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the solar PV mircrogeneration scheme is due for completion; the timeframe to finalise details of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12040/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 777, 778 and 788 together.

On foot of the October 2017 stakeholder workshop hosted by my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) along with further engagement with the micro generation industry, I have asked the SEAI to conduct a short study to assess the likely demand for and impact of micro generation, among the public. It is important that before we deploy further public money we validate the demand and projected cost in an Irish context.

The proposed pilot scheme which I announced at the Renewable Energy Summit in January will commence this summer and will target solar PV and self-consumption amongst domestic customers. The data gathered through the behavioural and attitudes study and during this first phase of the scheme will inform future phases of support for micro generation in Ireland. I recognise the need to align with the ambition of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which recognises the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers, and deliver on ambitions and commitments made in the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government.

Further details of the pilot scheme for domestic rooftop solar PV self-consumption will be made available when I have received the study being undertaken  by the SEAI and have had an opportunity to consider its analysis.

As set out in the National Mitigation Plan, a very significant increase in effort is required to realise the potential of the residential sector to contribute to the low carbon transition. Already, solar PV is supported (for farms, businesses and homes) by my Department through the SEAI’s Better Energy  Communities Scheme and the Deep Retrofit Pilot.