Green Limerick: Homeowners having solar panel installed increases by 26%

THERE was a 26% increase in Limerick homeowners getting solar panels installed over the last three months.

New figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) show that 294 people in Limerick got solar panels fitted in their homes from April to June.

While there was a reduction in the solar PV grant at the start of this year, it appears this has not deterred Limerick homeowners in opting for solar panels.

With the main benefits of getting solar panels being that it is a clean, green and renewable source of energy, they also save money for homeowners in the long run.

Government grants (through the SEAI) of up to €2,100 to get them installed are still available.

With this in mind, 528 Limerick people opted to avail of the offer and got new grant assisted solar installations in the first six months of 2024.

In the first half of 2024, a total of €54.7m was spent by the SEAI for home upgrades, covering homes nationwide, through individual energy upgrade grants. In Limerick, there were 842 property upgrades, amounting to over €2m.

These grants cover solar PV and solar thermal panels, heat pumps, insulation, and heating controls.

Nationwide, the first six months of this year saw 13,498 PV systems installed across the country with grant support, according to the latest SEAI statistics.

Some 7,493 solar installations were completed in April to June and with grant aid from the SEAI, an increase of around 1,500 installations compared to the first quarter.

This means that Ireland is averaging around 83 SEAI grant approved installations per day, despite it being cut by €300 on January 1 this year.

Commenting on the figures for the first half of 2024, managing director of Energy Efficiency Ireland, James Dorrian, said the situation is promising.

“There were concerns that the grant reduction would have an effect on solar installation figures – however, these figures show that demand remains strong as homeowners look to slash their electricity bills,” he said.

“Before Christmas, some government TDs were critical of the ‘perplexing’ move to reduce the maximum grant to €2,100.

“Of course, it’s impossible to know the true impact of the grant reduction, but the figures are promising.

“Unlike the stagnation in electric vehicle sales, solar is going from strength to strength, which is fantastic to see – and long may it continue!”

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Mr Dorrian said that while the figures are positive, he would be concerned about the effect of further reductions.

“The Government plans to cut the grant by €300 each year until it’s gone. But we would advise caution, as this incentive has clearly worked to date.

“Our own research shows that even more could be done to publicise these grants, as many people are still unaware that they exist.”

The Solar PV Scheme is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Once the applicant receives grant approval, they have eight months to complete the works and declare the works as done.

All homeowners, including private landlords are eligible to apply. However, only those who have homes built and occupied before December 31, 2020 can apply. Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.