31 Woodbine Business Park, Hewitsland, New Ross, Wexford,
31 Woodbine Business Park, Hewitsland, New Ross, Wexford,
In September 2022, a program was announced to provide schools with photovoltaic panels (PV) up to 6 kWp, financed by the Climate Action Fund. This initiative aims to meet energy needs, reduce costs, and support the decarbonisation of school buildings, contributing to the climate action objectives for 2030 and 2050.
Jointly developed by the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and Education (DoE), the program, known as the School Photovoltaic Program (SPP), will allow school authorities to receive funding to install panels from licensed contractors. The program will finance approximately 16 solar panels per school, including grid connection to compensate schools for excess energy exported. Additionally, tracking software will be provided for daily energy production analysis.
The SPP will be a phased program, with the first phase starting in November 2023. It is expected that the program will be delivered with the School of the Department of Education, a new online platform hosted by a geographic information system ( GIS). ministry. This will be the first capital delivery program of its kind to be implemented using School Hub to maximise two-way engagement between schools and the ministry. The Hub Platform provides a simple, clear and efficient application and approval process for schools applying to the PV Schools program.
Schools will be invited to participate in the program by email and will receive School Hub login information in the invitation email. To ensure compliance with SPP requirements, please read this SPP01 guidance document and the SPP02 Technical FAQ for Schools document carefully before proceeding to receive quotes.
The SPP03 school application checklist document provides a comprehensive list of all the information a school will need at each stage of the process, as well as a step-by-step guide through the Hub School application process. Documents SPP04 to SPP08 are intended primarily for the use and advice of photovoltaic installers. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides telephone support for the SPP. If you have a question after reviewing the guidance documents, support will be available on 01 808 2100 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, starting November 30, 2023.
The suite of documentation relating to the programme is listed below and is available on the Department of Education website, here.
The provided documents related to the program are available on the Department of Education’s website. Key documents include:
– **SPP01:** Overview and guidance for schools.
– **SPP02:** FAQs addressing common school inquiries.
– **SPP03:** Checklist for the School Hub application process, aiding in information preparedness.
– **SPP04:** Guidelines for approved contractors on skills and standards required for school projects.
– **SPP05:** FAQs for entrepreneurs about the program.
– **SPP06:** Quotation form necessary for entrepreneurs to submit offers to schools.
– **SPP07:** Requirements for contractors upon completion and certification of work.
– **SPP08:** Withdrawal form for entrepreneurs unable to fulfill awarded contracts.
The terms and contract between the school Authority and the contractor for the PV installation under the Schools Photovoltaic Programme. SPP Model Contract is included in Appendix A of SPP04 Contractors Code of Practice and Standards and Specification Guidelines.
Company registered with SEAI’s Non-Domestic Micro-Generator Company list. The installation of these measures by unregistered Contractors will not be supported by the Scheme.
Minor works required to existing school infrastructure to complete installation or connection of the PV system. In general, minor works will be completed by the PV company and will not add significant time or cost to the installation.
The Department of Education
Excess electricity generated by the PV panels and not used by the school is diverted to the national grid
The amount of money, per unit of electricity fed to the grid, that is credited to the school by their energy supply company
The amount of money, per unit of electricity fed to the grid, that is credited to the school by their energy supply company
Qualified PV panel installer who is on SEAI’s Non-Domestic Micro-Generator (NDMG) Installer list.
The power converter for converting the energy generated from the Solar PV System into AC electricity for connection to the building’s electrical system.
The Solar PV panel including all solar PV cells, frame, and electrical connections
A collection of multiple solar PV modules, making up part of the overall PV system.
The bracket for fixing the solar PV system to the roof structure.
The Mounting System includes the mounting frame, connection to the roof (mounting bracket), connection to the ground or building, and connection to the solar modules.
The rated peak power output (DC) of the Solar PV system at Standard Test Conditions
Schools Photovoltaic Programme (SPP)
In this document, roof means the roof supporting structure, roof covering, and all associated roof elements.
Schools Photovoltaic Programme (SPP)
The school Authority is the Board of Management of the school, or in the case of ETB schools, the school Authority is the ETB
Department of Education’s new online platform for two-way engagement between schools and the Department, hosted by the Department’s geographic information system (GIS).
The energy generated by the solar PV system that is used by the school.
General term for any pitched roof covering including slates, tiles, bitumen shingles etc.
For the purposes of the grant scheme, companies must be registered on SEAI’s Non-Domestic Micro-Generator (NDMG) Company list. Conditions for registration on this list can be found at www.seai.ie. See T&Cs for details.
All components, wiring, electrical interfaces making up the operating Solar PV generator.
Works required to the existing infrastructure at the school before a PV array can be installed and/or connected. Supporting infrastructure works are more significant than enabling works and may involve significant time and/or cost to complete. Supporting infrastructure works are not funded under the Schools Photovoltaic Programme
The program will start with a pilot phase that will be open to all schools in a number of specific areas. The site selection criteria considered achieving a balanced regional representation, a mix of urban and rural areas and the inclusion of Gaeltacht and island schools. Based on the above criteria, schools in the following sectors have been selected to be included in the pilot phase, which will be open for expressions of interest via School Hub on November 30, 2023:
• County Clare
• County Donegal
• Dublin Council Area
• County Galway
• County Kerry
• County Kilkenny
• County Leitrim
• County Limerick
• County Offaly
• County Waterford
• County Wicklow
Applications will be invited as part of the pilot phase in accordance with the terms and conditions described in this document.
Please read this document carefully before requesting quotes and also see the SPP02 Technical FAQ for Schools for more information.
Schools in areas not selected for the pilot phase will be invited to apply for the program at a later date. Details of the next steps will be provided once the pilot application process is complete.
Schools will be invited to participate in the program via personalised email, which will contain their login details to the online School Portal of the Department of Education. Schools will be asked to log in to the School of Schools and answer a few short questions to determine their eligibility for this program.
Most schools qualify and receive email approval to receive quotes for jobs in accordance with the SPP terms and conditions.Section 7 provides further details on application procedures.
The pilot phase is now open for expressions of interest from schools in the selected areas. Expressions of interest must be received by February 1, 2024. If you have not completed Step 1 (submit an expression of interest) via School Hub by this date, you may not be able to participate in the pilot, Funding applications must be received by March 15, 2024.
If you have not submitted 3 quotes through School Hub by this date, you may not be able to continue with the work or receive funding in the pilot phase. All schools approved for funding under the pilot project should aim to install the photovoltaic system as soon as possible and no later than May 30, 2024, if possible. Key dates for subsequent phases will be communicated once the pilot phase application process has been completed.
Participation in this program is limited to schools recognised under the Free Education Program. Schools applying for funding under this program must have roof areas suitable to accommodate 6 kW of PV.
Schools with existing PV systems that are not provided or funded by the Department of Education can submit applications for this program. Schools that have received 6 kW or more of PV panels funded by the Department for Education and installed after 1 January 2018 may not be eligible to apply for additional funding under this program as they have already benefited from the financing for a modern PV installation.
This can be part of a new investment project, an expansion or a Pathfinder project. However, it is recommended that these schools submit an expression of interest for this program. This will help the ministry to ensure that all schools receive an invitation to participate and identify existing barriers to installing PV in your school.
Schools looking for a new school building that has started the 2b design phase may not be eligible to participate in the SPP. Schools that will receive independent extensions or additional premises are eligible to participate. Schools to be merged or currently operating in temporary premises will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To receive payment under the SPP, schools must confirm that they are or will be registered on the SEAI Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) website and confirm their commitment to report appropriately in subsequent years.All public sector bodies, including schools, have a legal obligation to report their energy consumption directly to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) annually.
All schools were informed of this request in writing in December 2014 by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC).SEAI and DECC have developed an online energy monitoring and reporting (M&R) system to enable schools to report their energy consumption (as required and detailed in SI 426 of 2014 and SI 626 of 2016 and SI 599 of 2019).
In addition to allowing schools to report and track annual energy data, the online system provides:
• A dashboard that presents a powerful overview of the school’s progress to date.
• Online access to annual electricity and natural gas consumption data.Further information on the reporting process is available here.
The funding will cover the supply of 6kW of roof-mounted solar PV panels – approximately 16 solar panels – and all inverters, cables etc. connector to connect the panels to the school’s main distribution board. Small development works, such as connection modifications to the main electrical distribution plan can also be financed.
Grid connection will be included, to allow excess renewable solar energy produced to be exported to the grid when schools are closed. All suppliers must provide an export payment (clean export guarantee) for each micro-generator below 50 kW. More information is available here.
The monitoring software will be provided to each school, along with a flat panel monitor located in a central area of the school to allow the verification of energy produced daily for staff and students. This information can be used by the school in the teaching and learning environment.Battery storage and energy diverters will not be eligible for funding under this program.Some schools may have infrastructure that is not compatible with new technology solar panels; this may include incompatible roofs or electrical systems.
These schools may be considered, based on the quotas received, incompatible with the purpose of the program and may require infrastructural work to be carried out before receiving financial support from SPP.
The SPP will be provided on a decentralised basis, with funding distributed by the ministry to the school, which will allow the school to make payments to the contractor. To facilitate the application process, which will be managed through the School Hub portal of the Department of Education, the SPP grant application checklist document 03 details all the information needed at each stage of the process of application, as described in sections 7.1 to 7.4.
Completing the necessary information will reduce the time spent online and make sure you have all the relevant information at your fingertips before going online .Compatible applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Any school that does not meet the program requirements will automatically be considered to have submitted an invalid application. Some quotes and information received from contractors may consider the project outside the scope of the program.
These projects will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine what additional work may be required to enable PV delivery under this program. Those signing the application forms are reminded that the Department may be required to disclose any information provided under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997, 2003 and 2014.Sections 7.1 to 7.4 below describe the main steps of the SPP application process.8.1 Expression of interest.
Expression of Interest:
Schools will be invited to participate in the program via personalised e-mail, which will contain their login details to the online portal of the Department of Education School Hub. Schools will be asked to log in to the School of Schools and answer a few short questions to determine their eligibility for this program. Most schools qualify and receive email approval to receive quotes for jobs in accordance with the SPP terms and conditions.
Obtaining Quotations for the Works:
Quotations can only be considered from contractors listed in the approved non-domestic contractors framework published by the Sustainable Development Authority of Ireland (SEAI), available here. When the school has received at least three bids from eligible contractors using the SPP06 contractor bid form, log into the Hub and upload the bids for review by the Department of Education.
As stated in the SEAI Contractor Framework, qualified contractors are registered on the basis of their commitment to install works in accordance with non-national technical standards and specifications and in accordance with the code of practice and insurance of program quality. Businesses also register to ensure tax and insurance compliance. His presentation of the quotation will mean his agreement to extend his commitment to install the works in accordance with the standards and technical specifications of SPP. Schools should consider asking for references from the contractor’s past projects and/or talking with the company’s past clients.
Quotation Approval and Funding:
Once funding is approved by the Department of Education, an email notification will be sent to the school. The school will need to confirm its order with the successful contractor and enter the School Centre to confirm that the installation contract is in place. 85% of the approved costs will then be transferred to the school’s bank account.
Works Completion and Final Payment
At the end of the work, the successful contractor will certify that the PV panels comply with the guidelines and requirements published by SPP using the SPP07 Contractor Computation Document. The school access the School Centre and download a copy of the completed SPP07. The remaining 15% of the approved costs will then be transferred to the school’s bank account.
Planning Requirements for Solar PV Panels
The Planning and Development (Exempt Development) Act 2000 (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 493 of 2022) and the Planning and Development (Exempt Development) Act 2000 (No. 3) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 492 of 2022) ) development (solar) protection zone) entered into force on October 5, 2022.
These two regulations contain the latest provisions regarding planning exemptions for solar panel installations. These include a new exempt development category covering the installation of solar panels on various types of buildings, including school buildings; however, exempt developments are subject to 15 conditions and restrictions, including the measurement of solar panels (taken together with all panels previously installed on the roof) no more than 300 square meters in case the installation is in a conservation area from the roof. The exemptions do not directly apply where the building is a listed structure or is in an architectural conservation area (Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempt Development) (No. 3) Regulations 2022).
If the property may be listed on the RPS, or if the installation of the proposed measures supported by this offer may require the approval of the local authority, the Contractor must notify the educational authority that the consultation with the ‘local authority must be requested before the end of the works. , or choose an alternative installation area that is suitable for them in relation to planning requirements.
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