Rebate Programme in Ireland: 9,500 Systems Installed
 Rebate Programme in Ireland: 9,500 Systems Installed

Rebate Programme in Ireland: 9,500 Systems Installed

The Republic of Ireland has a strong commitment to solar thermal technology. The rebate programme “Greener Homes Scheme” has pushed the market since March 2006. The installed solar thermal capacity in 2007 (10.5 MWth) tripled compared to 2006 (3.5 MWth), according to ESTIF statistics. The Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the programme’s administrative organisation, has recorded 9,500 approved applications since the beginning of the programme. The following chart shows rebated system installations by county (total of 9,500 systems). Cork experienced by far the highest number of installed systems. It is the second largest county in Ireland in terms of population and located in the most southern part of the island. Phase 1 of the programme (March 2006 to October 2007) categorizes grants by either hot water or hot water and heating. Phase II and III change the grant type categorisation to flat plate or evacuated tubes.

 Statistic of the Greener Homes Scheme

Country Ireland
Name Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 854 of 2007) Conservation of Fuel and Energy – Dwellings
Goal
  • Limit the primary energy consumption and related CO2 emissions
  • Expand use of low or zero carbon energy sources and achieve zero carbon emission during the operation and use of buildings as soon as possible  
Date when law passed 2007
Date when law came into effect 1st July 2008
Target group
  • New dwellings
  • Existing dwellings (substantial renovation)  
Special requirements
  • The level of energy provision from renewable sources must be at least 10 kWh/m² per year for domestic hot water heating, space heating or cooling, or 4 kWh per m² and year of electrical energy or a combination of these with the equivalent effect.
  • Central solutions will only be allowed if they are more practicable than separate sources for each individual dwelling.
Exceptions n/a
Last review March 2009
Further information http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/
Date when law passed 2007
Further information http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/  
Contact Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Custom House, Dublin 1
Phone +353/1/888-2371
Fax +353/1/888-2888
buildingstandards@environ.ie

Baerbel Epp

Bärbel Epp is Founder and Director of the German communication and market research agency solrico and editor-in-chief of solarthermalworld.org