Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

177. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if homeowners and small business can avail of the solar installation grant up to the maximum of €2,400 if they install in excess of 4kWp domestically or 6kWp commercially, in view of the removal of planning restrictions on the installation of solar panels; his plans to remove this barrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55987/22]

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

Grants are currently available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations, regardless of the size of installation, up to a maximum of €2,400. Since the 22nd September, grants have been extended to the non-domestic sector, for installations up to and including 6 kW. These are also administered by the SEAI and are up to a maximum of €2,400.

For larger new non-domestic installations greater than 6kW up to 50kW, these will be eligible for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported and will not receive grants. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is expected to consult shortly on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff, which will consist of a guaranteed export tariff that is fixed for 15 years.

The Deputy may wish to contact CRU at their dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, oireachtas@cru.ie for full details on their CEP implementation plan.

The recently signed Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2022 and the supporting Planning and Development (Solar Safeguarding Zone) Regulations 2022 came into effect on 5 October 2022. These regulations remove the requirement for planning permission for the majority of buildings in the country when installing solar PV. This will act as a significant driver and enabler of the rollout of micro and small-scale solar PV generation.

The revisions also extend the exemptions to new classes of buildings, meaning that apartments, community, religious and educational buildings, can now avail of planning exemptions for solar installations.

These changes will have a positive impact and allow a greater number of citizens, farms, communities, businesses and others to take active steps in generating their own electricity through solar, and thereby reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint.