Minister Eamon Ryan has announced supports of up to €2,400 for businesses, organisations and community groups to install solar panels, in an expansion of the Micro-generation Support Scheme.

The grants, which will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, could see possible annual savings of €3,000 for qualifying groups, with the opportunity to sell excess electricity back to the national grid under the Clean Export Guarantee brought in earlier this year. 

An earlier phase of the scheme was introduced in December 2021, which saw grants offered to households who were wishing to install solar panels. 

Households or businesses that have systems equating to 1kWp (Kilowatt peak) will receive a grant worth €900, while only those outputting 6kWp (equivalent to 16 solar panels over 25 square metrers) will receive the full grant amount. 

Minister Ryan explained: “This new support scheme is part of a wider roll-out of initiatives to make the installation of solar PV easier and more cost effective for homeowners, businesses and public bodies. It’s Ireland’s rooftop revolution.

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“With upcoming changes to planning exemptions, simpler grid application routes, export payment announcements, and capital supports from SEAI, it’s an ideal time for anybody to consider going solar to save money and to help reduce our emissions.” . 

Declan Meally of SEAI: “Energy prices are at an all-time high right now, due to war and conflict outside our control. Organisations are looking at ways to reduce their reliance on expensive energy sources, and to switch to secure, clean and more affordable alternatives.”

The Micro-generation Support Scheme aims to support more than 380 megawatts of micro-generator power, to contribute to an overall target of 2.5GW of solar renewables as stated under the Climate Action Plan.

This would number c.1 million solar panels, atop 70,000 homes and businesses.