Ireland’s total school solar program will deliver up to 24 MW of installed renewable energy in schools, with associated savings of approximately €5.5 million ($5.9 million) per year at 4,000 schools across the country.
The Irish government has said it is expanding its Solar for Schools program to all schools across the country. The scheme was initially announced as a pilot in November 2023 to encourage schools to use clean, cheap energy.
Eligible schools can install between 14 and 16 panels, or the equivalent of up to 6 kilowatt peaks of roof-mounted solar. They can also purchase monitoring technology to track savings and energy efficiency. The first phase of the program saw installations approved for more than 1,100 schools in 11 areas in Ireland.
The expansion of the program will allow funding for up to 4,000 additional schools to install rooftop solar. Previously, 1,600 schools were eligible. By January this year, more than half of those eligible to apply during the first phase had applied.
The total program will deliver up to 24 MW of installed renewable energy supply in schools, with associated savings of approximately €5.5 million per year at 4,000 schools across the country.
Depending on the school, the amount saved will vary depending on several factors. However, a school with a 6 kW solar installation could save between €1,200 and €1,600 annually, including credits for electricity exports.
Panels will be connected to the national grid to power homes and businesses when schools are closed on weekends and public holidays.
“I am happy to see that the first part of the solar school project has been such a success. The first 1,000 schools now have their solar panels, which means they are already saving money on their energy bills by generating their own solar energy and selling their extra power back to the electricity grid,” says Ossian Smyth, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Environment, Climate. and Communication. “I look forward to schools across the country benefiting from lower energy bills while helping Ireland meet our climate targets.”
Applications for the second phase of Solar for Schools open on November 11 and can be made online. The funding comes from the government’s Climate Action Fund.
As part of the application process, schools must obtain five quotes from suppliers which they can submit to the Ministry of Education for assessment via the online portal. The government has warned that some applicants may not be able to immediately receive funding from the program if their infrastructure is not compatible with current solar technology.
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