A number of grants and financial supports are available for solar PV projects. Cool Power can advise you on whether your solar PV project is likely to be eligible for one of these.
A brief overview of grants for solar PV appears below. For the latest, most accurate information, please check with the grant body. Also see the page on Ireland's renewable energy feed-in tariffs (REFIT).
While no grants are available for installing solar PV in existing homes, with ever-rising energy costs, solar PV offers you increasingly compelling savings. In addition, Ireland's Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) means that you get paid for any electricity generated by your solar PV system that you export to the grid.
Individuals and developers may be able to source funding for new builds through Sustainable Energy Ireland's Low Carbon Homes programme (see below).
Solar PV is also the easiest way for you to meet the updated building regulations in your new build. These building regulations, introduced in July 2008, make it compulsory to provide renewable energy in all newly-built homes in Ireland. Cool Power's smallest solar PV flatpack will meet the renewable energy regulations for any house or apartment up to 250m². We have a range of larger flatpacks available that will meet the regulations for any property size.
In July 2008, a €9m grants scheme was introduced to provide financial support to developers of highly energy efficient, low carbon housing. The Low Carbon Homes Programme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland, and will provide grants of up to 40% of expenditure to encourage large developments of new homes constructed to an energy performance standard well in excess of existing building regulations.
The Low Carbon Homes Programme will seek zero or very low carbon emissions from supported homes by requiring a significant element of onsite generation of electricity from renewable technologies such as solar pv (photovoltaic). Eligible homes will be at least 70% more energy efficient and produce at least 70% less carbon dioxide than homes built to 2005 standards and will have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of at least A2.
If you are a developer or individual who would like to avail of the Low Carbon Homes Programme grants, Cool Power can help you achieve the required energy efficiency standards. Contact Us for more information.
This scheme supports small-scale renewable electricity generation projects (such as solar PV and wind turbines), with the potential to sell excess power back to suppliers. The pilot will provide grant support towards the installation costs of micro-generator systems in approximately 50 trials to be conducted nationwide.
The Business Expansion Scheme (BES) offers particularly good financial deals for larger projects, with 42% tax relief in your first year of investment. After five years, investors now have the option to buy the solar PV system at a very competitive cost.
Cool Power can help eligible investors to obtain backing under the BES.
Contact us for more information about grants, funding and tax relief