Tipp Social Democrats welcome solar panel news

Alan Moynihan, the Social Democrats Local Election candidate for Cahir, has welcomed the news that all eligible schools will have the opportunity to apply for the Department of Education’s solar panel scheme this year.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Education in a recent response to a parliamentary question from the Social Democrats. The Schools PV Programme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels and includes connection to the grid and a monitoring system and display screen.

The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.

Alan Moynihan said: “I am urging schools in Tipperary to be prepared for the opening of applications to more counties in quarter two of 2024. At this stage, it is still not clear which counties will be included in that phase and which will be included in the final phase in quarter four. If Tipperary is included in quarter two phase, this could result in a tight timeline to respond.” He added: “Along with making a positive environmental impact, solar panels will assist in reducing the cost of running schools.”