Press release
Ministers Foley and Smyth highlight strong demand for the Solar for Schools Programme
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, have revealed that 908 schools have already applied for the first phase of the Solar for Schools Programme.
It will provide eligible schools with a 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
There has been a strong uptake from schools, with 908 schools out of 1,600 submitting expressions of interest in the first phase of the scheme since the scheme opened on 30 November 2023.
Education Minister Norma Foley said:
"There has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from our schools. This offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs. So thanks to those who have applied and to those who are still considering applying, early in the new year is the time to do it."
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth said:
“It’s great that schools are benefitting from solar panels they are having installed – this means that they see their electricity bills drop whilst also doing their bit for the climate.
“There is also an added educational aspect to this as each of these schools will have a display screen to let staff and students know how much power is being generated and teaching materials will be offered to schools so that students can learn about solar power.”
The solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can obtain credits on their bills by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1,200-€1,600 per annum on their bill, when the credit they’ve earned for exported electricity to the grid is taken into account.
The scheme is being rolled out on a phased basis to over 1,600 schools in 11 different counties - Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow and the Dublin City Council area of Dublin.
So far, the county with the most expressions of interest applications for the scheme is Galway, followed by Donegal, Dublin City Council and Kerry.
Schools will have to submit evidence of obtaining three quotations by 15 March and the target date for installing the solar panels is 30 May.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by the end of 2024.
The scheme is being funded from the government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development.
Each school will also provide monitoring software to allow staff and students to review and discuss daily energy generated.
The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors. The data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases. Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a good geographical spread including a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education climate related initiatives.
As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.
The new scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard the Department of Education has set up School Hub, a new online platform that is part of the department’s geographic information system (GIS).
The online platform will provide a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools Programme. Schools will be required to get three quotes from suppliers and submit to the Department of Education via the School Hub for review.
The exact budget for the scheme is not being released because it is commercially sensitive. This is because of the need to ensure that contractors deliver competitive quotes rather than basing them on the average funding available per school. The Department of Education will monitor the spending under the scheme to ensure it delivers value for money.
Some schools may need more time to avail of scheme funding due to infrastructure not being compatible with the new solar panel technology, including incompatible roofs or electrical systems.
There are currently 200 Non-domestic solar PV Installers registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and 350 domestic solar PV installers. The Solar for Schools Programme is expected to encourage more companies to enter the installer market.
The Department of Education has developed detailed guidance documentation for schools and contractors availing of this programme which are now available at the following link: Schools Photovoltaic Programme.