Dundalk's Cllr Butler urges local schools to apply for free solar panels

Dundalk Green Party representative, Cllr Marianne Butler, is urging schools in Dundalk and across Louth to apply for for free solar panels, through the Solar for Schools Programme.

Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth announced on Wednesday, that the Solar for Schools Programme will be extended to all school nationwide. The scheme provides eligible schools with up to 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on their roofs, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.

Since the launch of the first phase of the programme late last year, more than 1,100 schools have been approved for PV panels on their roofs in eleven areas around the country. Urging schools in Louth to avail of the programme, Cllr Butler told the Dundalk Democrat that, "I really welcome that local schools in Dundalk and the County will be able to apply for free solar panels. This will firstly help reduce their electricity bills by up to €1,600 per year!

"Many local schools will be working towards their Green Schools energy flag and installing Solar PV is a great way to learn about energy! I would urge all local schools to apply for Solar PV, applications are open from Monday 11th November."

The Solar for Schools Programme is funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools’ sector.

The solar PV panels in schools are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays. The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1200-1600 per annum on their bill, including credit for their electricity export.

The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools. Monitoring software is also being provided to each school to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.

As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, the visibility of the solar panels on schools is also delivering the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community. The final phase of the scheme will open for applications on Monday 11^th November  2024.  All remaining eligible schools will be contacted by the Department and invited to apply from that date.

The scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard, the Department of Education has set up School Hub, an online platform which is part of the Department’s geographic information system (GIS).The online platform provides a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying to take part.

Schools will be required to get five quotes from suppliers and submit to the Department of Education via the School Hub for review. 

Some schools may not be able to avail of scheme funding immediately due to infrastructure that is not compatible with the new technology solar panels; this may include incompatible roofs or electrical systems. The Department will be in contact with any schools that applied, but did not have their PV installations delivered during Phase 1, to discuss next steps. These schools will be treated as a priority in this next and final phase.