Schools in Galway are being invited to apply for the first phase of the Solar for Schools Programme which opens this month.
The programme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid so that the schools can generate income by selling excess electricity back to the grid.
This will be especially beneficial to schools as they can expect to generate electricity while using almost none on weekends and during holidays.
Schools can expect to save in the region of €1,200 to €1,600 per year after selling any surplus solar power.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said, “I am delighted to launch the Solar for Schools scheme today. It will allow up to 4,000 schools nationwide to get solar PV panels to reduce their energy bills and their carbon emissions”.
“This ties in with the strong ethos of environmental awareness and climate sustainability among our students and the wonderful work they do in this area, most notably with the Green Flag initiative.”
The first phase of the scheme, covering 11 areas, will open for application on November 30, with all eligible schools to be contacted by the Department.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024.
The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors.
Schools will be provided with funding from the Department to have solar panels installed by an SEAI-registered contractor.
The exact budget for the scheme is not being released for commercial reasons. The government has said that this is to ensure that contractors deliver competitive quotes.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth said, “It’s great that schools around the country will now see their electricity bills drop while doing their bit for the climate.”
“Even when the school is closed for the holidays, they will earn money by selling the power they generate back to the grid.”
“Each school will have a display screen to let staff and students know how much power is being generated. I am also delighted that teaching materials will be offered to schools so that students can learn about solar power.”
Areas included in the first phase of the programme are: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
