Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2025
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review correspondence regarding a person (details supplied); if, in view of the circumstances the person will be eligible for a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGrants of up to €1,800 are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support solar PV installations for houses built and occupied prior to 2021. Between 2022 and the end of September 2025, over 90,000 homes received solar PV grants totalling €196.7 million resulting in over 450 megawatts (MW) installed and 93.2 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide saved. This has supported households to make significant savings on their energy bills and cut their emissions.
This high level of demand indicates that the scheme is working well, that citizens recognise the significant benefits of investing in solar PV and, critically, that the solar industry and supply chain has gown to meet market demand. The current scheme built on the success of a previous pilot grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes, and in order to increase access to the new scheme, the eligibility criteria was changed so that houses built prior to 2021 could receive grant support. Prior to the change, grants were only available to houses built before 2011.
It is important to note that new build houses must follow Part L of the Building Regulations which relates to the energy performance of buildings requirements. There are options to meet this requirement by including heat pumps and/or solar PV, with the cost of installing solar PV systems during the new build process lower than for existing homes. Consequently, houses built since 2021 already enjoy significantly higher energy performance, compared to older houses.
