102. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); if there are plans in place to provide funding for community organisations to purchase portable solar generators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/24]

The Non-Domestic Microgen grant, as part of the wider Microgeneration Support Scheme, commenced in September 2022. The grant is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and provides financial assistance to help businesses and other organisations to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. The scheme provides a grant towards the design, purchase and installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a non-domestic building, based on having a registered MPRN for the premises.

Detailed information regarding eligibility for the non-domestic Microgen scheme is available on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/

However, it should be noted that as with all SEAI energy grant schemes, eligible technologies/solutions are informed by a number of factors, including ready availability of such solutions and installers in the market, scale of savings achievable, costs to the business/homeowner and typical payback; as well as programme budget availability targeting areas where greatest national impact is likely to be achieved.

Consequently, portable solar generators are not currently eligible for the receipt of grant funding, through any existing SEAI energy grant scheme.

Under the new EU amending directive 2024/1711, which focuses on improving the Union’s electricity market design; there will be the option for Member States to consider if they wish to promote the introduction of plug-in mini-solar systems of up to 800 W capacity in and on buildings. Ireland is currently assessing the impact of the Directive and may opt to issue a consultation on some of the flexibilities that are contained within, in order to ascertain the views of the public and interested stakeholders.