Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On the 23rd November, the first phase of the Schools PV Programme was launched by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth.

It will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.

The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development.

The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.

The solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.

Monitoring software will also be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.

The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic Programme, which includes over 1,600 schools opened for applications on 30th November 2023. All schools in the first phase have been contacted by the Department and invited to apply from that date.

Schools in the following counties are included in the first phase:

Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council Area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.

The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.

The Schools Photovoltaic Programme is a devolved programme based on programme guidance prepared by the Department of Education.

School authorities will be provided with funding from the Department of Education to have the PV panels installed by a registered contractor, with guidance from the Department.

The new scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard the Department of Education has set up School Hub, a new online platform which is part of the Department’s geographic information system (GIS).

The online platform will provide a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools Programme.

Schools will be required to get three quotes from suppliers and submit to the Department of Education via the School Hub for review.

The Department of Education has developed detailed guidance documentation for schools and contractors availing of this programme which are now available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/562dd-schools-photovoltaic-programme/.