'Strong demand' for school solar panels as over 900 apply in first phase

Along with reducing costs and emissions, schools will be connected to the electricity grid, allowing them to generate income by selling off excess electricity to power homes and businesses.

“Strong demand” for a scheme which will see all schools fitted with solar panels in an effort to reduce energy costs and cut emissions has seen over 900 schools apply in one month.

The Department of Education said there had been a "strong uptake" among schools since they were invited to apply for the Solar for Schools programme at the end of November.

Since then, 908 schools have submitted expressions of interest for the scheme, which aims to have solar panels installed at over 1,600 schools by May 30, 2024.

There are currently just 200 non-domestic solar panel installers registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland — however, the department is expecting the scheme to encourage more companies to enter the market.

Along with reducing costs and emissions, schools will be connected to the electricity grid, allowing them to generate income by selling off excess electricity to power homes and businesses.

Participating schools could see savings of up to €1,600 a year on their bills, according to the department.

The 908 schools that have applied so far are spread across 11 counties initially invited to apply, including Limerick, Waterford, and Clare. Kilkenny, Leitrim, Offaly and Wicklow were also included.

However, the county with the most expressions of interest applications for the scheme is Galway, followed by Donegal, the Dublin City Council area and Kerry.

Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a “good geographical spread” including a balance of rural, urban, island, and Gaeltacht schools, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent climate-related initiatives.

Schools will be tasked with submitting evidence of obtaining three quotations by March 15, while the target date for installing the solar panels is May 30.

The department said the exact budget for the scheme, which is funded under the Government’s Climate Action Fund, was not being released “to ensure contractors deliver competitive quotes rather than basing them on the average funding available per school”. 

All schools across the country will be able to apply before the end of 2024, with a further eight counties to be included in the second quarter of next year. The remaining eight will be included by the last quarter of 2024.

Once installed, schools will also be able to use monitoring software to allow staff and students to review and discuss daily energy generated providing an “added educational aspect”, while teaching materials concerning solar power will also be offered.

Education Minister Norma Foley said there had been a “really positive response” in terms of the number of applications.

“This offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs. So thanks to those who have applied and to those who are still considering applying, early in the new year is the time to do it,” she said.