LIMERICK homeowners have made efforts to be more energy efficient in the first quarter of this year by installing solar panels.
That’s according to new figures released to EnergyEffiency.ie by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) showing the number of people who got grant aid to install solar panels on their homes.
141 Limerick homeowners availed of grants to install the solar panels in the first quarter of 2023, compared to just 33 in the same period last year. This marks a 327 per cent increase.
Overall nationally, there was a 255 per cent increase in those availing of grants to install solar panels in their homes.
The county with the largest increase of solar installations was Cavan with an increase of 588 per cent, followed by Waterford at 427 per cent, and Carlow with a 400 per cent increase.
James Dorrian, Managing Director of EnergyEffiency.ie, said that the increases show how the cost of living crisis is making people look to cheaper and more sustainable ways of heating their homes.
“The stark difference between the figures for the start of this year, and the same three months in 2022, show that solar power is becoming an increasingly affordable option for homeowners looking to save money on their electricity bills, while also reducing their carbon footprint,” he said.
“As electricity prices remain stubbornly high, and with the reduced 0 per cent VAT rate for solar on residential properties, we’re expecting to see continued strong interest in solar PV from homeowners who want to become energy independent.”
The government cut the VAT rate on the supply and installation of domestic solar panels from 13.5 per cent down to nothing at the start of May this year to help families with high electricity prices and encourage the growth of micro-generation within Ireland.
The SEAI offers grants of up to €2,400 for homeowners who are having solar PV panels installed on their property. This grant scheme is eligible for all homes built and occupied prior to 2021.
