Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total amount of installed solar photovoltaic capacity in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51472/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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There is no single register for the number of households that have installed Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Solar PV panels are installed under a number of scenarios. Firstly, Solar PV is installed on new homes, as one of the measures to achieve compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. These panels are not eligible for Government supports. Secondly, Solar PV panels are installed on existing buildings through grant supports offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 14,000 homes and with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout the year, we expect that grant applications will exceed 12,600 in 2022 alone. Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in early 2022 applications levels are up 250% year on year. For 2023, the SEAI is forecasting to support over 12,500 homes and over 1,000 small businesses and community organisations. 

In addition to the MSS offering grant support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations up to 6kW, these applicants will also be eligible to avail of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff. As such, any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises of these microgenerators is now eligible for an export payment; which further supports the investment.