Written answer
Renewable Energy Generation
A working group is assessing safety, technical and regulatory requirements, with an options report due by end-September to guide accelerated Irish deployment.
129. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the work of the working group established to address technical, safety and other issues, in advance of delivering plug-in solar systems in Ireland, which is due to report its recommendations to his Department this month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65583/26]
Comment on this
Plug-in solar is an emerging low-carbon technology that has seen rapid adoption in other European jurisdictions such as Germany. It is the Government’s intention that we accelerate the introduction of plug-in solar in Ireland. Once enabled, it could present a cost-effective and accessible option for customers to become more active participants in our energy transition, potentially seeing benefits such as electricity bill reductions, greater demand flexibility and contribution to our renewable energy and climate ambitions.
At my request, ESB Networks established a plug-in solar working group in May of this year. Its purpose is to identify and assess potential pathways to enable the safe, standardised and scalable deployment of plug-in solar in Ireland. The working group has convened six times to date with a view to examining the safety and technical considerations relevant to this technology.
The working group has committed to submitting an options report for my consideration by end-September including recommendations on the proposed installation approach, product specification pathway, customer guidance and more. My Department is also working alongside the other stakeholders in the working group to accelerate aspects of the regulatory framework in the meantime. Potential steps under consideration include the completion of an Ireland-specific safety study, wider legislative review, development of customer guidance and an online product registration portal.
Further work is still needed to ensure this technology is safe for use, appropriately regulated, and to remove any other legal impediments in an Irish context. The Government is also committed to ensuring the Irish approach is accessible and easy to navigate for the average customer. Acknowledging the extensive work to date by stakeholders through the working group, ongoing collaboration will be needed to expedite plug-in solar in Ireland.