Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Schools PV Programme 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.

The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1,200-€1,600 per annum on their bill, when the credit they’ve earned for selling electricity to the grid is taken into account.

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 scheme was launched on 30 November 2023, with approximately 1,600 schools invited to apply across 10 counties plus the Dublin City Council area.

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 is providing a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Schools PV Programme.

To date, 92% of schools which were eligible to apply have submitted an expression of interest, 88% have submitted tenders and 65% have been approved to award the contract.

93% of the schools in County Limerick that were invited to apply have engaged with the scheme to date. 86% of those schools have submitted tenders and 60% have been approved to award a contract.

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.