CLARE Senator Róisín Garvey (Green Party) is hosting an information night to inform and equip the public all they need to know about solar power, where she hopes to “dispel the myths” around solar energy.
The event takes place tomorrow at 7:30pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, and will allow the public to engage with the Clare Community Energy Agency and solar installers. Róisín says it’s an excellent opportunity for home owners and farmers to understand how easy it is to install solar panels to help them embrace green energy and bring down their energy costs.
“We need to dispel the myths, that it costs too much, and it’s too complicated. It’s never been as easy to go solar and own our own energy. Before there was no grant, you had to get planning permission and pay a load of money. Now, you have no planning permission, a €2,400 grant and it’s VAT free so that’s another 13.5 per cent off the price,” says Róisín.
“For example if you get a 3kw system for €4,000, which I did, you get your grant of €2,400 and just last week Eamon Ryan conviced the cabinet to get rid of the VAT which is another 13.5 per cent off the costs of the solar panels themselves,” remarks Róisín.
“I worked in schools for years and they all wanted solar panels but it seemed to be really complicated. I discovered that you needed planning permission to put up a solar panel which I thought was insane in a fossil fuel crisis and a climate change war, so I introduced a bill which led to the abolition of the need for planning permission for your shed or house roof. Then Eamon Ryan and his department came up with a grant of €2,400.”
“This is why I’m doing this free public event in the Old Ground, so that people realise how possible it is. The cost all depends on the size of the roof, size of the house, how they use their energy. So each house is quite individual. Maybe they don’t need a battery like me, I use the excess energy that’s not being used to heating the water, I haven’t turned on the immersion in a year.”
Róisín adds that the installation of solar panels has softened the blow of increased energy costs. “If you’re creating your own electricity your bills go down. I spent €4,000 to put up the unit and I pay back a six per cent rate, but your savings are far greater than the cost of the loan.
“I’ve got an app on my phone and I can see I’ve produced 3,5000kw which is 3,500 units. I was getting charged 38c a unit for that, but now I’m getting that for free.”
Tomorrow night, Colm O Ghairbith from Clare Community Energy Agency – who has initiated more than 200 installations in Clare – will be on hand to guide people on their home’s solar needs, while two installers will also be on hand to advise the public.
Róisín says that the Green Party aims that at least 30 per cent of energy would come from community and domestic, adding, “We should aim higher than that, actually.”
The Solar Power event takes place tomorrow (April 13) at 7:30pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Admission is free.
