Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has provided funding for the purchase of solar photovoltaic PV panels from 1 January 2019 to date; the country of origin of such purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Solar PV scheme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI), commenced in 2018 to support the installation of solar PV panels on domestic homes built and occupied prior to 2011. From 1 January 2019 to date, a total of €13,389,593 of grant supports have been provided for the supply and installation of solar PV panels and all ancillary equipment. This has allowed a total of 19.8 MW capacity to be installed across 5,506 installations, and has brought a carbon saving of 5,206 tonnes of CO2 in the same period.  

The grants administered by the SEAI assist homeowners in privately engaging contractors to install solar PV works. A Declaration of Works is provided by scheme participants to the SEAI, on which data concerning the brand and quantity of panels installed is recorded. All installers must meet the standards specified by the SEAI's Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications document and the Domestic Solar Photovoltaic Code of Practice for Installers. Both of these documents are available on the SEAI website.

As the solar PV market in Ireland is relatively small and dominated by a few key players, SEAI do not disclose specific details regarding the origins of products, as in some cases this information may disclose the brand of panel used and so offer information to market competitors regarding the activities of individual contractors.