Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are any plans from within Government to pay for electricity that is returned to the grid by domestic solar units to encourage more people to invest in solar energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16803/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland which allows them to receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value of the electricity. The CEG became available upon the transposition of Article 21 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) into Irish law on 15 February 2022, to both new and existing micro and small-scale generators.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the interim arrangements for implementation including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Some suppliers have advertised their CEG tariff rates and the CRU is advising micro-generators to contact their supplier for further details.

The CRU is not setting a date or deadline for the timing of the first payment. People can expect an initial payment or credit from their supplier within a reasonable time after June 2022. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made – at the earliest opportunity. The supplier may offer back-payments in the form of a credit to customers accounts, if this approach is considered to be the most appropriate. The CRU also expects back-payments to be communicated clearly to customers of each supplier.

Furthermore, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity, which they generate, back to the grid.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will reinstate the battery grant for solar PV, which will remove a further cost of approximately €600 for those considering installing solar panels; if he will urgently ensure that households with solar PV installed will be reimbursed for excess electricity given back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16836/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations mean the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available for new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.

The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) domestic solar PV grant scheme commenced on the 16th February. Domestic applicants can apply to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for a grant towards the cost of installing solar PV equipment, up to a maximum of €2,400 in 2022. Changes to the MSS scheme include the removal of the minimum post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) C requirement, homes built pre-2021 are now eligible. There is no need to install a battery to avail of the maximum grant and, with the introduction of the CEG, residual electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.Following a public consultation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December 2021. This decision outlines the interim arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis.

Furthermore, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity, which they generate, back to the grid.