Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan 21. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, which are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,100.

In 2023, the average size of a grant-supported domestic solar PV system installation was 5.2kWp, rising from 4.7kWp the previous year, according to figures provided by the SEAI. In 2023, the average cost for a 5.2kWp system was €10,422 ex VAT & before the grant. Any households installing a system 4kWp or larger would be eligible to receive the maximum grant, which in 2024 would reduce the average post-grant cost for a 5.2kWp system to €8,322, assuming installation costs have not changed.

Using an estimated annual system output of 800kWh per kWp, a household with a 5.2kWp installation could expect to generate 4160kWh per annum. This household could expect to save approximately €874 per annum by consuming 60% of the self-generated electricity, based on an electricity tariff of €0.35c/kWh. In addition, they would be paid approximately €349 for exporting the remaining 40% to the grid, based on a typical export tariff of 21c/kWh. This would result in a total annual saving of €1,223, which translates to a payback period of 6.8 years for households receiving grant support, or 8.5 years without grant support.