Greener Homes Scheme.

On the 9th May Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland closed applications for grants under the greener homes scheme and the home energy saving scheme. Both schemes are now closed.

A new better energy homes program has now been launched which includes all the home energy saving scheme (insulation grants) and the solar grant from the greener homes scheme. Most of the grants have been cut back and the solar has been reduced to a fixed payment of €800 as opposed to a payment per metre squared of panels fitted.

While on the face of it customers might feel hard done by especially if they were just about to apply for a grant which had been withdrawn a day before the announcement was made. However it should be seen as a positive move for the environment and for the customer.

Take solar panels for example; the old grants payed more if you fitted larger panels. Less efficient panels tend to be larger to try to increase their yield and an extra panel was needed to achieve the kilowatt gain required, therefore sales were made on how large the grant was and not on how efficient the panels were, this idea was also pushed by some installers who were more interested in profit that quality and efficiencies.

At least now these less efficient systems won’t stand up when a euro per watt comparison is made which can only be a benefit to all.