Electric Ireland will support customers on their low carbon journey with the Microgeneration Support Scheme, as announced by the Irish Government on December 21, 2021.
Microgeneration, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, enables customers to generate their own renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as reduce electricity bills. Electric Ireland will be inviting customers to sign up to the Electric Ireland Micro-Generation Support Scheme in 2022, with more details being announced on this in the new year in line with government updates.
Discover microgeneration with solar panels
Wondering how to sell electricity back to the grid? Learn about how solar PV panels can help to do just that by visiting Electric Ireland's Solar PV information page.
Microgeneration
Microgeneration, or microgen, is the generation of green electricity from renewable technologies
Microgeneration, or microgen, is the generation of green electricity from renewable technologies, such as solar panels, micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable combined heat and power (CHP).
Microgenerators generate clean renewable energy to meet some or all of the electricity demands of a household or business, and when coupled with a diverter, can heat a water tank.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme incentivizes customers to reduce their carbon footprint by allowing those with registered micro-generation devices to sell this excess electricity back to Ireland’s electricity grid.
Eligibility for the Microgeneration Support Scheme
Electric Ireland customers who own a micro-generator, such as solar PV, micro-wind, micro-hydro, or renewable micro-CHP, are eligible for this scheme. They must have an export grid connection, which is typically organized by the installer on installation or can be organized through ESB Networks.
- Is there a need for a smart meter to avail of the Microgeneration Support Scheme?
Users will need to have a smart meter where available. For those who are eligible for a smart meter, they will need to get one installed by ESB Networks, in order to get paid for precisely what you export. Otherwise, you will get paid based on a deemed volume assumption determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
- Can those who are not Electric Ireland customers still avail of the Microgeneration Scheme?
Only Electric Ireland customers who meet the criteria above are eligible for the Microgeneration Scheme through Electric Ireland. They can do so by signing up to Electric Ireland.
- When will users be paid for their excess energy?
Electric Ireland will soon get in touch with microgeneration customers to let them know if they are eligible and to tell them when to expect their first payment.