Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will engage with schools who wish to install solar panels, but have been disallowed as roof mounted panels are not considered suitable for various reasons. [16956/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Schools PV Programme is funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund which is managed by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications 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 funding covers the provision of up to 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels - and all associated inverters, cabling, etc. to connect the panels to the school’s main distribution board.

Some schools however have infrastructure that is not compatible with the new technology solar panels; this may include incompatible roofs or electrical systems. These schools may be determined not to be compatible with the Programme scope and may require infrastructure works to be completed prior to accessing support for PV.

The requirement for the PV panels be roof-mounted is a funding condition and is intentional so as to maximise solar gathering and to provide the panel installation with maximum physical protection from accidental damage or vandalism.

My team in the Schools PV Programme section will continue to engage with schools who wish to install PV panels about their options.