Waterford Primary Schools among the first in the country to receive free Solar Panels.

Minister Ossian Smyth and Dep. Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Waterford Primary Schools will be some of the “first schools in the country to receive free Solar Panels” according to Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh was welcoming the launch of the first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic Programme which was announced today by Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth and Minister for Education Normal Foley. The new scheme will see eligible schools receive approximately 16 solar panels and it will help schools reduce energy costs and their carbon footprint.

In addition, the solar panels will be connected to the electricity grid so that schools can sell electricity generated during weekends and holidays back to the national grid. This electricity will then be used to power homes and businesses. The scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country. Waterford is one of the first 11 counties chosen for the scheme – other areas being Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly and Co. Wicklow. 

Speaking after the launch, Dep. Ó Cathasaigh said: “This is a project that I’ve been working on along with Min. Smyth for a number of months, so I’m delighted to see Waterford included in the first phase of the roll out. The sunny Southeast has a great solar resource, and allowing schools to benefit from the rooftop revolution is great news for their bottom line.”

“Less money spent by Boards of Management on energy is more money they can spend on educational resources, arts materials, sports equipment to benefit our kids, all while reducing our emissions from burning fossil fuels. That’s a win for our children, a win for our communities and a win for the wider planet.” “’I can’t wait to see these solar panels popping up on our schools up and down the county.”

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth said: “It’s great that schools around the country will now see their electricity bills drop while doing their bit for the climate. Even when the school is closed for the holidays, they will earn money by selling the power they generate back to the grid.

“When I recently visited a school that had solar panels installed, there was huge interest from the students. Each school will have a display screen to let staff and students know how much power is being generated. I am also delighted that teaching materials will be offered to schools so that students can learn about solar power.”

The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. A school with a 6 kw Solar Panel installation (approx. 16 solar panels) could expect to save in the region of €1,200-€1,600 per annum on their bill, when the money they’ve earned for selling electricity to the grid is taken into account. Monitoring software will be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students. In addition to the financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.

The first phase of the scheme will open for applications on 30th November 2023. All schools in the first phase will be contacted by the Department and invited to apply from that date. The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.

The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors and the data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor:

• Schools in the following areas are invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow. 

• School authorities will be provided with funding from the Department of Education to have the PV panels installed by a registered contractor, with guidance from the Department.

• The new scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard the Department of Education has set up School Hub, a new online platform which is part of the Department’s geographic information system (GIS).

• The online platform will provide a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools (Schools Photovoltaic) Programme.

• Schools will be required to get three quotes from suppliers and submit to the Department of Education via the School Hub for review.

• The exact budget for the scheme is not being released because it is commercially sensitive. This is because of the need to ensure that contractors deliver competitive quotes rather than basing them on the average funding available per school. The Department of Education will be monitoring the spending under the scheme to ensure that it delivers value for money.

• Some schools may not be able to avail of scheme funding immediately due to infrastructure that is not compatible with the new technology solar panels; this may include incompatible roofs or electrical systems.

• There are currently 200 Non-domestic solar PV Installers registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and 350 domestic solar PV installers. The Solar for Schools (Schools Photovoltaic) Programme is expected to encourage more companies to enter the installer market.

• The Department of Education has developed detailed guidance documentation for schools and contractors availing of this programme which are now available at the following link: Schools Photovoltaic Programme.

Waterford Primary Schools among the first in the country to receive free Solar Panels.  

Waterford Primary Schools will be some of the “first schools in the country to receive free Solar Panels” according to Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh was welcoming the launch of the first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic Programme which was announced today by Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth and Minister for Education Normal Foley. The new scheme will see eligible schools receive approximately 16 solar panels and it will help schools reduce energy costs and their carbon footprint.

In addition, the solar panels will be connected to the electricity grid so that schools can sell electricity generated during weekends and holidays back to the national grid. This electricity will then be used to power homes and businesses. The scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country. Waterford is one of the first 11 counties chosen for the scheme – other areas being Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly and Co. Wicklow. 

Speaking after the launch, Dep. Ó Cathasaigh said: “This is a project that I’ve been working on along with Min. Smyth for a number of months, so I’m delighted to see Waterford included in the first phase of the roll out. The sunny Southeast has a great solar resource, and allowing schools to benefit from the rooftop revolution is great news for their bottom line.”

“Less money spent by Boards of Management on energy is more money they can spend on educational resources, arts materials, sports equipment to benefit our kids, all while reducing our emissions from burning fossil fuels. That’s a win for our children, a win for our communities and a win for the wider planet.” “’I can’t wait to see these solar panels popping up on our schools up and down the county.”

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth said: “It’s great that schools around the country will now see their electricity bills drop while doing their bit for the climate. Even when the school is closed for the holidays, they will earn money by selling the power they generate back to the grid.

“When I recently visited a school that had solar panels installed, there was huge interest from the students. Each school will have a display screen to let staff and students know how much power is being generated. I am also delighted that teaching materials will be offered to schools so that students can learn about solar power.”

The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. A school with a 6 kw Solar Panel installation (approx. 16 solar panels) could expect to save in the region of €1,200-€1,600 per annum on their bill, when the money they’ve earned for selling electricity to the grid is taken into account. Monitoring software will be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students. In addition to the financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.

The first phase of the scheme will open for applications on 30th November 2023. All schools in the first phase will be contacted by the Department and invited to apply from that date. The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.

The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors and the data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor:

• Schools in the following areas are invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow. 

• School authorities will be provided with funding from the Department of Education to have the PV panels installed by a registered contractor, with guidance from the Department.

• The new scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard the Department of Education has set up School Hub, a new online platform which is part of the Department’s geographic information system (GIS).

• The online platform will provide a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools (Schools Photovoltaic) Programme.

• Schools will be required to get three quotes from suppliers and submit to the Department of Education via the School Hub for review.

• The exact budget for the scheme is not being released because it is commercially sensitive. This is because of the need to ensure that contractors deliver competitive quotes rather than basing them on the average funding available per school. The Department of Education will be monitoring the spending under the scheme to ensure that it delivers value for money.

• Some schools may not be able to avail of scheme funding immediately due to infrastructure that is not compatible with the new technology solar panels; this may include incompatible roofs or electrical systems.

• There are currently 200 Non-domestic solar PV Installers registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and 350 domestic solar PV installers. The Solar for Schools (Schools Photovoltaic) Programme is expected to encourage more companies to enter the installer market.

• The Department of Education has developed detailed guidance documentation for schools and contractors availing of this programme which are now available at the following link: Schools Photovoltaic Programme.