Rooftop renewables risk making the rich richer, as latecomers will struggle to access the grid

With Ireland’s current electricity infrastructure not designed to cope with mass installation of rooftop solar panels, better-off households who are first to install solar PV will benefit the most

If everyone wanted rooftop solar, then the grid could only serve 5% of the 1.6 million electricity customers studied. Picture: Denis Minihane

Many people are now becoming “energy citizens” by installing rooftop solar panels and other small-scale renewable energy projects in their properties.

In theory, this is a “win-win”. Added renewable energy brings down the cost of energy, and by replacing fossil fuels cuts planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. But there is concern that as more people install solar panels and other renewable projects, local electricity grids may become congested.