Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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865. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider expanding the solar for schools programme beyond the current 14 panel limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19280/25]

Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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866. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is a limit of 14 panels per school under the solar for schools programme. [19281/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 866 together.

The Schools PV Programme 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.

The Schools PV 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 programme funding for 6 kWp installations ensures that there are no additional costs for schools under the grid connection process and there are no grid restrictions limiting export, the grid connection process is covered under the ESB Networks ‘NC6 inform and fit’ notification process. Unlike the NC7 and NC8 mini and small-scale generator connection processes (which covers installations greater than 6 kWp

Schools are able to choose an energy supply company offering the best value tariffs for both the import and export of electricity, with the opportunity to maximise their remuneration during the summer months and other times when the school is not occupied under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme.

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.

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.

The installation of solar PV panels schools directly assists schools to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, while also educating pupils and the wider school community about the benefits of solar technology.

Since the launch of the programme in November 2023, more than 3,309 schools have been approved for funding for the installation of PV panels with more than 1,093 installations confirmed as completed so far.