Minister for Education Helen McEntee and Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien have encouraged schools nationwide to apply for the Solar for Schools Programme before the deadline of Friday 7 March and avail of a potential opportunity to reduce their electricity costs through the use of renewable energy.
The ministers welcomed the strong uptake of the programme to date, with all counties now eligible for the scheme.
The scheme provides eligible schools with a 6 kilowatt peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee said:
“Communities up and down the country have started to see solar panels on school rooftops, a sign of the strong uptake of the Solar for Schools Programme.
“This Programme offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, as well as providing daily data to schools and students on their consumption. The deadline for schools to express their interest has been extended until Friday 7 March, and I strongly encourage all schools to sign up. My Department’s new online platform, School Hub, will make the application process as streamlined as possible for schools.”
Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien said:
“I am delighted that my Department is supporting the Department of Education in expanding the Solar for Schools Programme through the Climate Action Fund. By opening the programme to all remaining eligible schools, we are building on the success of the pilot phase, which has already helped schools reduce energy costs and decrease their reliance on fossil fuels. This initiative is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and energy efficient future for our schools.”
Since the launch of the programme in November 2023, more than 3,290 schools have been approved to progress to tender for installation of PV panels with more than 1,040 installations confirmed as completed so far.
The second and final phase is open for applications to all eligible schools nationwide, with the deadline extended to Friday 7 March.
The second phase has seen significant interest since it opened for applications on in November, with a total of 757 schools approved for funding in this phase to date.
Solar for Schools Programme
The Solar for Schools Programme is wholly funded by 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. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint as part of the schools’ sector’s response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
The solar PV panels in schools are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1,200-1,600 per annum on their bill, including credit for their electricity export.
The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools.
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 that is part of the department’s geographic information system (GIS).
The online platform provides a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools Programme. Schools will be required to seek five quotes from suppliers and apply for funding approval to the Department of Education via the School Hub.
The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets, and for projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy. The Fund supports projects that would not otherwise be undertaken.
The Fund is resourced from a number of sources, including official air travel emissions offsets and proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met.
