Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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313. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if electricity companies are currently paying customers for surplus solar energy being fed back onto the grid; the reason that some customers are currently not being paid by electricity companies for surplus solar energy; if electricity companies are obliged to pay for energy generated by solar; the amount of solar energy that is being fed back onto the grid but not currently being paid for by utility companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20706/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to answers Questions Nos. 313 and 322 together. On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations (Statutory Instrument 76 of 2022) that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law. These Regulations create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. I are aware that some suppliers have already advertised their CEG tariffs.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available here: www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf. Micro-generators who wish to become eligible for the CEG should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks and have a smart meter installed where applicable.

The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Once eligible, customers can expect an initial payment or credit from their suppliers from 1 July depending on their billing cycle, backdated to their date of eligibility or the 15 February, whichever is the latest. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity.

ESB Networks have confirmed that by the end of March 2022 approximately 21,000 micro-generators are accruing the value of the CEG for the electricity they export to the grid via their smart meter.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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314. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of solar panel units that have been installed to date which currently feedback energy to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Up to the end of February this year the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV for 9,674 homes and 380 community projects. The average size of an installed system was 2.8kW. An installed capacity of domestic Solar PV of 36.9 MW has been achieved. We expect that the SEAI will support a further 6,600 homes in 2022 to install solar PV. ESB Networks (ESBN) have stated that 22,448 micro generators have registered with them for export of renewable electricity, with the vast majority of these installations comprising of solar PV.