Unlimited solar power – Ireland’s push for micro-producers of green energy

The move would enable households, small businesses and even farms to join the shift to renewable energy

On Monday, Irish authorities amended several laws regarding small-scale solar installations for citizens, small businesses and farms. The new policies would allow these groups to install an unlimited amount of solar panels on their roofs without having to get a planning permit.

Moreover, the government will also offer small grants for photovoltaic (PV) systems. According to an official statement, people will be able to sell excess renewable energy back to the grid. This set of policies would help to significantly boost the roll-out of small-scale PV generation.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to enable the green energy transition in the country, with the goal of meeting the 51% of renewable energy target by 2030. The Irish government’s plan for reaching that goal calls for 8 gigawatts of onshore wind farms and between 1.5 to 2.5 gigawatts of solar power by the same year.

Enabling small would-be energy producers  

One of the main points of the new regulations is the removal of the planning permit, required for PV roof installations, which covers most buildings in the country. The revision also extends to apartments, community, educational and religious buildings.

Furthermore, the government will now allow small and medium-scale producers to export their energy to the national grid through the Clean Export Tariff. The tariffs will be set by energy suppliers and buying prices currently range from 13.5 to 20 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.

Moreover, small and medium solar power producers will have a chance to pick the best option between suppliers and sign five-year fixed tariff contracts.

This development comes alongside the Micro-Generation Support Scheme, originally announced in late December 2021. The support scheme offers a capital grant of up to 2,400 euros for building solar capacities for micro-producers, for capabilities of up to 6 kilowatts.  

Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan explained in a press statement that the policy package is a big step forward to achieving the Climate Action Plan and a prime example of the benefits of cross-departmental cooperation.