Good news for businesses as Green Party unveil new solar grants
The Green Party secured cabinet approval today (July 4th) for generous grants to support businesses that want to install solar panels. The grants will offer up to €162,500 for the installation of solar panels and smart energy infrastructure for a wide range of commercial buildings. These grants will help businesses lower their energy costs while also reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Until now, grants for businesses have been capped at 6KWp or approximately 16 PV solar panels. This is suitable mainly for domestic houses and farms. The new grants can be used for installations ranging from 7 kWp (suitable for a small sole trader), up to 1 MW, suitable for larger businesses such as a shop or a hotel. The grant will cover approximately 20-30% of a typical investment, meaning that on average the cost will be paid off in only five years. Priority will be given to a rapid rollout of the grants so that businesses can begin the process as soon as possible.
Senator Roisin Garvey, Green Party Spokesperson on Rural Development, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said;
“We have set an ambitious target of installing solar panels on 700,000 homes and 55,000 businesses by 2030 and are taking decisive steps to make this a reality. This grant is one of many we have introduced to make solar energy affordable, attractive and achievable for as many people as possible. We are offering significant supports that will help people’s pockets as much as it helps the environment.”
These grants are part of a wide range of supports the Green Party has introduced in Government to make solar energy a realistic option for households and businesses across the country. The party has abolished the VAT on the supply and installation of solar panels for homes and public buildings, provided free PV panels to schools and made it possible to install solar panels on houses, farm buildings, schools and community centres without planning permission.
Under the Climate Action Plan, Ireland has a binding target of slashing emissions by 51% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050, and increasing the use of renewable energy will be a crucial tool to help us reach this target. Not only is easier than ever for households and businesses to reduce their energy bills, but they can also sell electricity from their solar panels back to the energy grid.
