Understanding Solar Microgeneration
Understanding Solar Microgeneration
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Microgeneration describes private homes feeding electricity back into the grid and getting paid for it and was introduced to Ireland in 2022. This electricity can come from any source, solar is however the most common.
The tariff domestic microgenerators get paid varies and gets set by the electricity company. It currently (2023) ranges between 18 and 24 cent/kWh.
Most electricity companies limit the amount of electricity that can be fed back into the grid to encourage self-sufficiency first.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) was announced in 2023. The key features of the scheme are:
Domestic applicants can apply to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for a grant towards the cost of installing Solar PV equipment. In 2023, capital grants are available up to a maximum of €2,400
For domestic applicants, homes built pre-2021 are eligible.
For domestic applicants, buildings do not have to meet a minimum BER (Building Energy Rating) standard.
Non-domestic applicants such as businesses, farms, schools, and community buildings can also apply for a grant for installations up to 6kW, at the same grant amounts as domestic customers, that is, up to a maximum of €2,400.
The SEAI will assess extending the grant supports to other eligible technologies, including micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable CHP, in 2023.
Non-domestic applicants will be able to apply for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff to support installations between 6.1kW and 50kW. In 2023, the CEP feed-in tariff will be €0.135/kWh. The CEP will be fixed for 15 years and eligible volumes will be capped at 80% of generation capacity to encourage self-consumption.
Supports under the MSS will gradually reduce over time from 2024, to take account of reducing system costs.
More information on solar microgeneration is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1fbe-micro-generation/
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