31 Woodbine Business Park, Hewitsland, New Ross, Wexford,
31 Woodbine Business Park, Hewitsland, New Ross, Wexford,
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Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, have announced the extension of the Solar for Schools Programme, which includes solar energy grants for schools across the nation.
This initiative provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak (kWp) of rooftop-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, equivalent to around 14 solar panels. Since the launch of the programme’s first phase late last year, over 1,100 schools in eleven counties have been approved for PV panel installations, with more than 1,000 installations completed in areas such as Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford, Wicklow, and the Dublin City Council region.
Funding has now been secured to enable solar PV installations in all remaining eligible schools in sixteen additional counties, including Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath, and Wexford.
With this expansion, up to 4,000 primary, post-primary, and special schools throughout the country are now eligible to receive PV panels through the Solar for Schools Programme.
Minister Foley said:
“The Solar for Schools Programme has delivered a rooftop revolution in more than 1,000 schools so far. It has helped these schools to reduce their carbon emissions. It also has the potential to save our schools millions of euro on their energy bills not just for one year, but every year.
I am therefore delighted today to announce that every school in the country can now apply for the Solar for Schools Programme, as we launch this second and final phase. I have seen the PV panels in place in many of the schools that I have visited. I believe the Solar for Schools Programme will accelerate the installation of PV panels on the roofs of homes and businesses because people can see the benefits of renewable energy in action in their local school buildings.”
Minister Smyth said:
“I’m delighted to see that the first part of the solar schools project has been such a success. The first 1,000 schools now have their solar panels, already saving them money on their energy bills by generating their own solar energy and selling their extra power back to the grid. I am looking forward to schools right around the country getting the benefit of lower energy bills while helping Ireland meet our climate targets.”
The Solar for Schools Programme, funded through the Government’s Climate Action Fund, provides solar energy grants for schools in recognition of the essential role climate action plays in Ireland’s social and economic progress. This program supports schools in lowering energy costs and reducing their carbon footprint as part of the commitment to meeting the Climate Action Plan targets for 2030 and 2050.
The solar PV panels installed on school buildings are also connected to the national electricity grid, allowing solar energy to power nearby homes and businesses when schools are closed on weekends and holidays.
While the amount saved by each school varies, a typical 6 kW solar PV installation could help a school save around €1200–1600 per year, including credit from electricity exports. Across all participating schools, the programme will provide up to 24 megawatts of renewable energy, resulting in annual savings of approximately €5.5 million across 4,000 schools.
Each school will also receive monitoring software that enables staff and students to track daily energy generation, adding an educational element to the program. Alongside the financial and climate benefits, the visibility of solar panels on schools is sparking interest and discussion around renewable energy within local communities.
The final phase of the scheme opens for applications on Monday, November 11, 2024. All eligible schools will be contacted and invited to apply via an online system designed to streamline the process. Schools can access School Hub, part of the Department of Education’s geographic information system (GIS), for a simplified application and approval process.
Participating schools will need to obtain five quotes from suppliers and submit them through School Hub for review by the Department of Education. Some schools may face delays in funding due to infrastructure challenges, such as incompatible roofs or electrical systems. Any schools unable to complete their PV installations in Phase 1 will be prioritized in this final phase.
The areas for the next phase of the scheme are:
| Co. Carlow | Co. Mayo | |
| Co. Cavan | Co. Meath | |
| Co. Cork | Co Monaghan | |
| Co. Dublin | Co. Roscommon | |
| Co. Kildare | Co. Sligo | |
| Co. Laois | Co. Tipperary | |
| Co. Longford | Co. Westmeath | |
| Co. Louth | Co. Wexford |
The areas for the pilot phase were counties Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford, Wicklow and Dublin City Council area.
Savings for Schools on Energy Bills and Grid Exports with Solar Grants for Schools
With solar grants for schools, a 6 kW Solar PV installation (approximately 14 panels) can yield significant savings, though actual savings vary based on factors such as panel orientation, the portion of electricity self-consumed, export levels, and the school’s specific electricity tariffs for both import and export. For instance, if a school consumes 50% of the electricity generated and exports the other 50%, it could save approximately €850 annually on its bill and earn an additional €525 in export credits. This estimate is based on a 34c/kWh tariff and a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) rate of 21c/kWh. Overall, schools could see around €1,375 in savings annually, contributing to a potential nationwide savings of up to €5.5 million across 4,000 schools.
Climate Action Plan 2024
The 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP24) is Ireland’s third annual update, outlining a roadmap to achieve the national climate objective of a climate-neutral economy by 2050. CAP24 aligns with Ireland’s legally binding carbon budgets and sector-specific emissions targets set by the government in 2022.
Climate Action Fund
Established in 2020, the Climate Action Fund supports projects that advance Ireland’s climate and energy targets and help regions and sectors transition to a low-carbon economy. The Fund is resourced through offsets from official air travel emissions and levies on petroleum products disposed of by the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA), with a focus on supporting initiatives that would otherwise be challenging to launch.
Overview of the Solar for Schools Programme Application Process
The Schools PV Programme offers a straightforward, mostly online application process through the Department of Education’s School Hub. Beginning November 11, schools will receive login details from SchoolsPVProgramme@education.gov.ie and can follow the five-step process:
This solar grants for schools initiative not only helps schools achieve energy savings but also supports Ireland’s climate and economic objectives through sustainable development.
Guidance for Schools on Solar Grants for Schools
Guidance documents for this phase of the Solar for Schools Programme, including information on solar grants for schools, will be available on the Department’s website starting from the application opening date, Monday, November 11.
For any questions after reviewing the guidance documents, schools can access support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) helpline at 01 808 2100, available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, beginning Monday, November 11, 2024.
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