Solar panels for schools
Deputy Matthews asked for an update on the rollout of solar panels in schools. The Taoiseach confirmed Budget 2023 funding for panels up to 6 kW and outlined wider school infrastructure investment and energy upgrades.
The Government recently announced the installation of solar panels on secondary and primary schools. The Government has made great strides in solar at utility scale and domestic scale, with feed-in tariffs, substantial grants and planning exemptions. It makes a lot of sense to expand this to our schools to help them with their energy bills and in our climate challenge. I understand it is to be funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and is to be run out by the Department of Education. Will the Taoiseach provide us with an update on that proposal?
Comment on this
The Deputy is quite correct. Budget 2023 provided funding from the climate action fund in respect of the provision of solar panels for schools up to 6 kW output. The provision of solar panels for schools will be fully funded. The national development plan provides for capital funding of more than €4.4 billion for investment in school infrastructure during the period through to 2025. Schools designed and built in accordance with the Department's technical guidance documents have been achieving A3 building energy ratings since 2009, with current schools typically achieving up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by the current building regulations. In addition to this, 10% of primary school energy is provided via solar panels. There is infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging. I am not sure this fully answers the Deputy's question. In short, perhaps this is something we want to get done. We will fully pay the cost of the panels. Certainly I want to see solar panels on every school in Ireland sooner rather than later.