Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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118. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the solar electricity grant for solar PV panels will be reduced in 2025; the date range for grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/24]

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. The MSS provides support to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €2,100 in 2024 for household installations, available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

In line with the approved final scheme design, the maximum grant was set at €2,400 for 2022 and 2023, with a reduction of €300 for each subsequent year until 2028. This resulted in the maximum grant being set to €2,100 in 2024, and this will decrease again to €1,800 from 1 January 2025. Grant applications made and approved by 31 December 2024 will be eligible to receive the current maximum grant. Once approval is secured, applicants have eight months to complete works and submit the necessary documents to SEAI in order to receive grant payment. After this period, the approval will expire, and re-application will be required.

The decision to gradually reduce the maximum grant available was taken to account for the expected reduction in solar PV system costs (which has proved to be the case over the course of the Micro-generation Support Scheme's operation), as well as to ensure the maximum number of households can be supported, through the most efficient use of limited exchequer funds. Solar PV installations have also been supported by the Government decision to apply a zero rate of VAT on residential solar 'supply and install' contracts since May 2023, which has further reduced the upfront cost required by households investing in solar PV.