25 June, 2018
Welcome to Local Power’s summer news bulletin on developments in the renewable energy space.
Firstly, some good news. SEAI are at an advanced stage in preparing a scheme to grant aid PV solar and energy storage for homes.We are advised that the scheme will be finalised and open before the end of the summer and that’s not far away.
The most likely grant is a payment per KwP installed and it may be tiered with a higher payment for smaller systems and a overall limit on the amount grant aided. MREF the micro renewable energy federation is arguing that the grant must be at a level that brings the payback down towards 5 years and that the scheme must be extended to businesses and farmers without delay.
It will be interesting to see if the grant is linked to those who have a domestic meter or towards dwellings specifically. This is important as many farmers and some small businesses operate on a domestic meter. We look forward to sharing grant details when announced.
We are very pleased to have installed a number of solar PV projects with the benefit of a Better Energy Community grant since we were last in touch. The largest to date is a 100kwp system and it is tremendous to see the performance with over 700kwh/day generated during recent days and remote monitoring ensuring that the client has ongoing sight and record of electricity production and usage. All of the electricity will be used on site and the system will displace circa 50 tonnes of carbon per year. See attachment showing the 100kwp SMART SOLAR roof mounted install.
Also in the pipeline and soon to be announced is significant funds to be made available to assist in the development of a bio- methane industry. In other words generating green gas from Anerobic Digestion using food and factory waste, farm slurries and manures and farm crops as feedstock. However a generous incentive scheme will also need to be provided to make the economics add up. The Government are also setting up a €500m fund to assist innovation in helping to reduce energy consumption.
As you will have seen in the news Ireland continues to get a bad press both from within the country from agencies such as the EPA and externally from the EU in relation to our poor performance re climate change targets. Think we are 26th worst performing in the EU.
Addressing this issue is definitely now firmly on the Governments agenda and expect a significant acceleration in initiatives in the coming months. Unfortunately there is the carrot and the stick in play and the Government are intending to extend its carbon taxes on diesel, heating oil, coal and briquettes most likely in the budget.
The Long awaited final RESS ( Renewable Energy Support Scheme) document is scheduled to be released anytime now. It will set out the parameters as to how the Government are going to support bigger energy projects such as wind and solar farms going forward.
Finally something to ponder. A few months ago I advised a client that their electricity costs were higher than they need be based on the market realities. While not involved in selling energy I did ask a couple of providers for a quote and they duly obliged offering savings of circa €4.5k per year over a 2 year contract. The client was given the information and it was left to them to complete the forms and return etc. A 15 minute job to complete forms to secure a guaranteed €9k and guess what?? Yes ! The forms were not filled out, and electricity prices have risen since . Pressure of work is a reality for many business people but keeping a close eye to costs is time well spent and can pay real dividends.
Till the next time,
Pat