Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to schools regarding the purchase and installation of solar panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2816/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic (PV) Programme was launched in November 2023.

The scheme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.

Since the launch of the first phase of the programme late last year, more than 1,100 schools have been approved for PV panels on their roofs in eleven areas around the country. More than 1,000 installations have been confirmed so far in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford, Wicklow and the Dublin City Council area.

The second phase was launched on 11th November 2024 to all eligible schools in the remaining counties - Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wexford.

This means that up to 4,000 primary, post-primary and special schools in the country are now eligible for PV panels.

The Solar for Schools Programme is funded by 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. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and 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 are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses 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 €1200-1600 per annum on their bill, including credit for their electricity export.

The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools.

Monitoring software is also being provided to each school to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.

As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, the visibility of the solar panels on schools is also delivering the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.

As an ongoing active delivery programme, further funding details are not being released at this time.