Solar PV Payments

Green Party TD Encourages Homeowners to Verify Proper Registration for Solar PV Payments Amidst ‘Rooftop Revolution’

Marc Ó Cathasaigh, Green Party TD for Waterford, is urging homeowners who have embraced solar PV technology to ensure they are properly registered to receive payments for electricity exports. With recent ground-breaking measures introduced by the government, the installation of solar panels has seen an exponential rise, leading to a ‘Rooftop Revolution’ across the Southeast.

In a significant stride towards a sustainable future, the government has taken decisive actions to support and incentivize domestic solar installation. Planning restrictions on domestic solar projects have been removed, allowing homeowners to embrace this renewable energy source without unnecessary obstacles. Furthermore, the government has eliminated the Value Added Tax (VAT) on solar panels, making this environmentally friendly technology more affordable and accessible to a wider range of households.

To further empower homeowners and encourage their participation in the renewable energy transition, the government has introduced a feed-in tariff system. Under this scheme, individuals are compensated for the surplus electricity they export back to the grid. This means that not only can homeowners contribute to a cleaner energy grid, but they can also financially benefit from their sustainable investments.

The combination of these progressive measures has sparked an explosion of interest in solar panel installations, leading to the aforementioned ‘Rooftop Revolution’ across the Southeast. Communities are embracing solar power as a viable and environmentally conscious energy solution, and homeowners are keen to take advantage of the incentives and opportunities provided.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to renewable energy, Marc Ó Cathasaigh emphasizes the significant increase in national ambition.

“In July 2022, the government unveiled its sectoral emissions ceilings, which resulted in more than doubling its solar ambitions for 2030 to a remarkable 5.5GW. This ambitious target demonstrates a clear dedication to accelerating the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.

“This has heralded remarkable growth in solar PV installations, and I want to make sure that eligible householders get full and timely access to payments for their electricity exports. Unfortunately, my office has heard from a number of households where this hasn’t been the case. We’ve heard of instances where PV installers, who are obliged to send NC6 application form to ESB Networks before installation, are failing to do so, meaning households won’t receive payments for exports until system is registered.”

Dep. Ó Cathasaigh advises all homeowners with solar PV installations to take the following steps:

• Contact your electricity supplier or ESB Networks directly to confirm if your solar PV system is properly registered in their system.
• Promptly address any registration discrepancies or oversights to expedite the payment process for electricity exports.
• By ensuring compliance with registration requirements, homeowners can fully capitalize on the benefits of their solar PV investments and contribute to the collective effort in building a greener and more sustainable future.