Press release
Ministers Foley and Smyth highlight strong uptake in the nationwide extension of 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, welcome the strong uptake on the Solar for Schools Programme.
The scheme provides eligible schools with a 6 kilowatt peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels. Since the launch of the first phase of the programme late last year, more than 1,100 schools have been approved for PV panels on their roofs in eleven areas around the country. More than 1,000 installations have been confirmed so far in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford, Wicklow and the Dublin City Council area.
Funding was approved last October to proceed with solar PV installations on all remaining eligible schools in 16 counties – Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wexford.
New figures show that over 1,660 schools from these 16 counties have successfully entered the tender stage of the process. This means that that over two thirds (69 per cent) of the 4,000 schools in the country have either had Solar PV installed or have gone to tender for them.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said:
"It is fantastic to see the great appetite from our schools to join this rooftop revolution through the Solar for Schools Programme. I was so pleased to be able to announce the nationwide extension of the Programme in October and it is wonderful to see over 1600 schools in these newly eligible counties applying.
“This Programme offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs. A heartfelt thank you to those who have applied and to those who are still considering applying, we have designed it to be as simple as possible."
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth said:
“It is great to see the successful rollout of the Solar for Schools Programme across the country. This programme is enabling schools to continue their green journey, protecting the environment, generating renewable electricity and seeing their electricity bills reduce.”
The Solar for Schools Programme is wholly funded by 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. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools’ sector.
The solar PV panels in schools are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses 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, including credit for their electricity export.
The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools.
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 provides a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools Programme. Schools will be required to seek five quotes from suppliers and apply for funding approval to the Department of Education via the School Hub.
The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets, and for projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy. The Fund supports projects that would not otherwise be undertaken. The Fund is resourced from a number of sources, including official air travel emissions offsets and proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met.
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.