Irish Examiner view: Financial incentives will encourage greener living

Tax breaks for energy efficiency

Installation costs of solar panels are the main worry for householders.

Many countries in Europe, and even some that aren’t such as Britain, recognise that to radically change consumer and customer behaviour requires a combination of carrot and stick. In the case of converting to solar power in Ireland, clearly a matter of public good, there is plenty of stick in the shape of grim warnings about the impact of global warming, but nowhere near enough carrot in the form of incentives.

According to the experts, in this case the Irish Solar Energy Association — a group that clearly has some skin in the game — householders in the Republic pay 13.5% Vat for the installation of solar panels in their homes.