Chai Brady
Photo Credit: kjpargeter, FreePik Plans to allow homeowners with solar panels to sell excess electricity back to the grid with a potential to earn €400 a year have been dubbed a “positive step”.
Trócaire’s Niamh Garvey, who is head of policy and advocacy, welcomed the proposal which is going to cabinet this month.
“The announcement around solar panels and renewable energy is one element that has come out of a Joint Oireachtas Committee on climate action which has produced a report that has over 41 recommendations in it,” she said.
“One of these is to allow communities to sell their micro-generated solar and other renewables back to the grid, she added, saying that it’s a “very positive step and part of a broader package”.
The ‘feed-in tariff’ would be one of the initiatives used to reach Ireland’s 2030 target of producing 70% of electricity from sustainable sources. It is believed the plans could encourage a significant uptake in photovoltaic roof panels: there are currently Government grants up to €2,800 to install them.