Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants that are available to support individuals, businesses, public organisations and community groups to install solar panels. [61735/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity by 2030, including over 60,000 small microgeneration connections less than 6 KW and 10,000 connections between 6 kW and 50 kW.

The first phase of the scheme, consisting of a Domestic solar PV grant, commenced in February 2022. The second phase of the scheme, announced on 22nd September, saw Solar PV grants being extended to the non-domestic sector, for installations up to and including 6 kW. This includes businesses, public organisations and community groups. Both grants are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and are up to a maximum of €2,400.

This new phase of the scheme provides an opportunity for small businesses to reduce their electricity bills. Moreover, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises of these microgenerators is now eligible for an export payment; which further supports the investment.

Since the introduction of the Domestic Solar PV grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply and are forecasting the numbers for 2022 to be more than double the application levels seen in 2021. It is envisaged that applications from businesses will also show strong demand. While the overall level of interest in the grant schemes indicates that the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.

The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff in 2023.