Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme.

Demand for the domestic Solar PV grant scheme has increased significantly since 2022. By the end of 2022, 10,031 homes had received grant supports at a cost of €24.5 million.

2023 has proved to be even more successful, with demand accelerating. By the end of 2023 22,189 homes had received grant supports totalling €52.1 million. The average size of Solar PV installation supported in 2023 was 5.2 kW, which amounts to approximately 115 MW of installed renewable electricity capacity added during the year.

The significant level of demand seen during 2023 has been supported via Government's decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises, as well as the decision in Budget 2024 to increase the level of income tax relief from €200 to €400, on income earned by householders via the Clean Export Guarantee, which provides remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.

This high level of demand is expected to continue into 2024 and indicates that the scheme is working very well and that citizens are recognising the benefits of investing in Solar PV, with domestic applicants currently being able to avail of grants of up to €2,100.