Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to incentivise the installation of solar PV panels and the selling of electricity to Electric Ireland during the cost-of-living crisis, given that credits on electricity bills are provided at the end of the year, rather than periodically throughout it; and if he plans to change the frequency of credit provision. [45877/22]

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

The underlying principle, and primary advantage of microgeneration is self-consumption of your own electricity. This is how microgeneration can help consumers shield against electricity costs. While there is potential for payment for any excess electricity that you might not use yourself, export is an additional benefit but not the primary driver for engaging in microgeneration.

The phased introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) has begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The SEAI has also supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 12,000 homes since 2018, and with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout the year, we expect that the SEAI will support over 8,000 homes in 2022 alone. The SEAI will be extending the Solar PV grant scheme to non-domestic applicants for installations up to 6kW by the end of September.

On 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on all 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. This provides microgenerators with an additional incentive for their investment in renewable technology.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022 (the date the regulations were enacted), whichever is the latest.

The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. Most suppliers have now advertised their CEG tariff rates, which range from €13.5c/kWh up to €20c/kWh. This allows customers to shop around and switch suppliers to obtain the best rates for selling and purchasing electricity. The CRU advises customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.

I understand that over 30,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 22,500 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the CEG tariff for their exported electricity.

New installations greater than 6kW up to 50kW will be eligible for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported. The CEP will be €0.135/kWh in 2022 and 2023, fixed for 15 years. It is expected that the CEP will be implemented further to a public consultation process to be undertaken by the CRU by the end of this year.