O’Shea encourages Cork schools to apply for solar panels grant  

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has encouraged Cork schools to apply for the Solar for Schools Programme before the deadline of Friday 7^th March. The scheme provides eligible schools with a 6 kilowatt peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.

Deputy O’Shea said: “The Solar for Schools Programme offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, as well as providing useful daily data to schools and students on their consumption.

“There has been strong take up of this scheme since it began, and 353 schools have progressed to tender stage for solar panels in Cork. My colleague the Minister for Education Helen McEntee has extended the deadline for schools to apply to Friday 7^th March, and I strongly encourage all remaining Cork schools to get their applications in.

“The new Department of Education online platform, School Hub, will make the application process as streamlined as possible for schools.”

TD John Paul O’Shea continued: “There are wider benefits for Cork to this Programme. 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 Solar for Schools Programme is wholly 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 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 €1,200-1,600 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.

and avail of a potential opportunity to reduce their electricity costs through the use of renewable energy.