Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine and review the criteria for solar farms to feed back to the grid (details supplied). [2566/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community, SME and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.

Renewable electricity projects bring benefits to local communities across the country through jobs, community funds, and local revenue. In that regard, my Department is committed to engaging farmers in renewable energy opportunities, fostering sustainable growth and economic diversification in rural Ireland.

Renewable energy offers farmers and others in rural areas opportunities to diversify and develop new income streams and reduce costs. Farms, individuals, and businesses can generate their own electricity, cut utility costs, and reduce emissions through the deployment of renewable energy.

The SRESS export phase (SRESS 1) assists farmers, communities, and SMEs to establish export projects up to 6 megawatt, providing a guaranteed tariff, without performance bonds or auctions. SRESS simplifies market access for such small and community projects that are not suited to other schemes, aligning more closely to their experience and the capacity of these sectors. Farmers can apply to SRESS on their own, on the same basis as SMEs, or else as members of Renewable Energy Communities.

The scheme opened for applications in 2025. The SRESS application form together with the terms and conditions and a non-technical summary, are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/sress.