Written answers
Thursday, 7 March 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Renewable Energy Generation
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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304. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 14 November 2023, to outline the number of TAMS 2 solar PV installations that were signed off by installers not listed on his Department's installers list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11467/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A registered list of competent installers to carry out solar PV installations is maintained by my Department, as required under the terms and conditions of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme. The latest version of this list is available on my Department’s website.
The Declaration of Works Form, as outlined in Specification 198, which covers the minimum specifications for the installation of Solar PV Systems, requires the inclusion of the Solar PV Registered Company.
The registered list is comprised of businesses, companies and sole traders. I understand that, in some cases, the registered installer company may sub-contract the installation to another solar PV installer business. However, the receipt for the works must be supplied by the business listed on the Department's Solar PV Registered Installer list, and it is this company that has overall responsibility for the solar PV installation.
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the number of TAMS 2 solar PV installations that were processed by his Department on forms that were not his Department's official S198 forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11468/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The safety of Solar PV systems, both at installation phase and for subsequent use by applicants to the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is of paramount importance. My Department has introduced Specification 198 which outlines the minimum specification for the Installation of Solar PV Systems. All relevant electrical and structural standards are prescribed in this specification.
The technical forms required to be completed are essentially the same as the form produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), except for references to TAMS instead of SEAI. I understand some of the Solar PV applications have included the SEAI form. However, it would require an examination of each individual application to provide the exact number.
I would like to reiterate that both forms contain the same detail to allow my Department to make an informed decision on the application. Furthermore, the specific form must be signed by a Safe Electric Ireland registered electrician.
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