BACK TO SOLAR SCHOOL TIME
Updated September 13, 2024
By Morgan Pierce
Too cold to learn. With all the things parents and teachers have to worry about at this time of year, the possibility of schoolchildren shivering in classrooms shouldn’t be one of them. Yet, almost every year, the papers carry a story or two about kids trying to learn – and teachers trying to teach – in buildings with temperatures stuck in the single digits.
Then there are the reports of schools being forced to cut educational resources or increase parents’ “voluntary contribution” in order to meet rising energy costs.
Though you may not have heard about it yet – the programme’s first phase of school solar was announced in late 2023, and only covered a limited number of schools – a climate friendly solution to these persistent problems is on its way.
The “Schools Photovoltaic Programme” provides for the installation of solar to all of the country’s free (non fee-paying) schools over the course of the coming years. The school solar scheme will fund up to 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar – that’s about 16 solar panels and related infrastructure.
The programme not only enables schools to produce their own cheap renewable energy, it also gives children access to a unique learning tool. Monitoring software will offer students and teachers insights into how the school’s energy is being produced and used on a real time basis – educating a new generation of financially savvy and environmentally conscious consumers.
All systems installed under the programme will be connected to the grid, allowing schools to draw on any additional energy needed at times of peak demand from their commercial supplier.
Being connected to the grid also means that schools with solar will be able to take advantage of times of peak energy production – those sunny summer months when schools are closed – by selling unused solar energy back to those same suppliers.
How Does The School Solar Programme Work
The school solar initiative is a joint venture funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Department of Education (DoE) in response to the challenges to meeting Ireland’s climate commitments for the education sector.
School authorities will be able to select contractors to tender for the work from the SEAI’s approved list of Non-Domestic Micro-Generator companies. The list can be found here, and yes, SolarSmart is one of the SEAI’s registered contractors. Schools must submit three quotes from suitably qualified contractors to the Department as part of the application process.
Since 2022 most solar installations have been exempt from the requirement for planning permission. In a limited number of cases – because the school is a listed property or in a conservation area – planning permission may be required. In such circumstances, contractors are required to advise school authorities of the need to consult the local planning authority prior to the undertaking of any works.
Under the first phase of the Schools Photovoltaic project, 1,340 schools were invited to apply to participate, and the response rate was overwhelming. The trial phase came to an end in May, and the roll-out of further phases of the programme are scheduled for later this year. As the roll-out continues, schools will receive an email inviting them to register. The whole application process will be administered via the Department of Education’s “School Hub” web tool.
All of the relevant documents can be found on Department of Education’s website, here.
If you are a school leader reading this and have not yet heard from the Department about when you might become eligible for school solar, the SEAI’s dedicated helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9-5, on 01 808 2100.
If you’d like to discuss how your school can benefit from solar with one of our experienced advisors, give us a call.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.