Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
41. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of homes that have had solar panels installed by the SEAI scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average income of households that have had solar panels installed via schemes funded through his Department. [38813/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
The domestic solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme came into operation in February 2022, building on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme, in operation since 2018. Grants are currently available to support domestic solar installations, up to a maximum of €2,100.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply. This growth has been supported by Government's decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises, as well as the Budget 2024 decision to increase the level of income tax relief from €200 to €400, on income earned by householders via the Clean Export Guarantee, which provides remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
The number of homes that received SEAI Domestic solar PV grants, for the years 2019 to 2023 and until the end of August 2024, is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Applications supported |
|
2019 |
1,822 |
|
2020 |
2,916 |
|
2021 |
4,077 |
|
2022 |
10,017 |
|
2023 |
22.214 |
|
2024 (to end Aug.) |
18,449 |
Access to the domestic solar PV grant is available to all applicants with homes which meet the scheme's eligibility criteria. The SEAI does not collect income details during the grant application process. Therefore, the average income of households which have received grant support from the SEAI for solar PV installation is not determinable.
SEAI has established a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members so that such their queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
