Naas Ford dealership Finlay Motor Group has, in partnership with Pinergy SolarElectric, become the country's first commercial sites to be granted an energy export connection to the grid through the newly established ESB Networks Mini Generation process.
Pinergy SolarElectric has installed 60 kWP of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Finlay Motor Group dealership to make it one of the first NC7 export connections in Ireland, enabling the company to take advantage of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS).
Gary Finlay, dealer principal at Finlay Motor Group, said: “We are very excited to finally have Solar PV installed on the roof of our building here in Naas as it marks a big step in our sustainability journey utilising renewable energy.
"Like most businesses across the country, we are really seeing the impacts that rising energy costs are having on our business. This investment in Solar PV, installed by Pinergy SolarElectric, will allow us to benefit from lower energy costs, security of energy supply and eventually earn an income from our excess energy. For us, it just makes really good business sense to make this investment in our future.
"The installation of these Solar Panels is the next step in our overall environmental strategy. Previously we completed a project to replace every bulb on our site to low energy LED units. We also have a very robust recycling strategy and are currently looking at a project to harvest rainwater from our very large roof area.”
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The connection is expected to create opportunities for commercial property owners across Ireland to reduce their need for energy from the grid and export and sell their excess energy.
Export connections are common in many European countries, and form a key part of the government’s Climate Action Plan as Ireland looks to build a more diversified approach to renewables.
MSS aims to encourage the installation of more self-generation solar energy technology and enable properties with installations of up to 50 kVa to sell excess electricity back to the grid.
In addition to the financial incentives, Pinergy SolarElectric said it is seeing many of its commercial clients choosing Solar PV to support their ESG strategy, meet their sustainability targets and report on their ESG achievements.
"We are experiencing growing demand for our Solar PV offering from commercial clients. The introduction of the Mini-generation Support Scheme earlier this year is really encouraging businesses & farms to invest in this technology," said Michael Norton, head of commercial sales at Pinergy SolarElectric.
"It is great to see Finlay Motor Group taking the step to switch to renewable energy and play their part in Ireland’s energy transition. At Pinergy SolarElectric we want to empower and enable more businesses, and homes, across the country to generate their own electricity, get paid for any excess supply and reduce energy waste.”
Photo: Gary Finlay (left) and Michael Norton. (Pic: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce)
