Solar panels could shine ray on Limerick schools' utility bills

LOWER energy bills could soon be on the cards for Limerick schools due to the introduction of the solar roofs scheme.

The new scheme which will see all school roofs in Ireland covered in solar panels is about to be launched in the coming weeks.

Green Party TD for Limerick City Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, when she expects to open the application process for the schools.

In their response, the Department of Education, which is the leading department for this scheme, announced that following the preparatory phases the scheme is ready to launch in the next few weeks.

“The plans to provide free solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for every school in the country were announced last year and I have heard from many principals in Limerick asking me how to apply. This will assist with their energy costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of the school buildings. When a school powers its lights and whiteboards for free using the power of the sun, it means lower bills and more money for schools,” Mr Leddin said.

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The scheme will fund six kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels. This will be funded from the climate action fund, which is under the remit of the minister for the environment, climate and communications.

Connection to the grid will be included, to allow unused solar energy to feed to the grid when schools are closed. This will also enable schools to be compensated for renewable exports to the grid and further help them with their energy bills.

Monitoring software will also be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.

In advance of the roll-out of the programme, a capacity survey was carried out nationally to ascertain the level of existing solar PV panels installed in schools.

It was found that approximately 10% of post-primary schools and 5% of primary schools have solar PV panels installed.

The scheme will be implemented using the Department of Education’s geographic information system (GIS) and will be rolled out through an online mechanism for schools.

“As the solar PV programme will be rolled out in phases I have been working closely with the ministers to make sure Limerick is included in the first phase of the roll out, which is expected to start before the end of this year,” Mr Leddin added.