Ireland Microgeneration Support Scheme Mss Clean Export Premium Guide

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Key Takeaways

• Micro-generation encompasses renewable generation technologies including solar PV, micro-wind, micro-hydro, and micro-renewable CHP.
• The government approved the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) on 21 December 2021, rolling out domestic grants on 16 February 2022 and non-domestic grants in September 2022.
• An extended funding range up to €162,600 for systems up to 1,000 kWp (1 MW) was introduced in July 2023.
• These expanded capital grants negated the need to develop and implement the Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff originally envisaged for 6.1 kW to 50 kW systems.
• Exported surplus electricity is remunerated through the competitive Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), supported by a €200 annual domestic tax exemption.
• The CRU requires ESB Networks to install a smart meter within four months of an applicant becoming eligible.

Overview of the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS)

Under national policy, micro-generation is the general term used to refer to the generation of electricity from renewable technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable combined heat and power (CHP).

Following analysis of the public consultation submissions, the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by the government on 21 December 2021. The scheme rolled out in structured phases:

• The phased introduction of supports under the MSS took place during 2022, with the commencement of the MSS domestic Solar PV grant on 16th February 2022, followed by the non-domestic Solar PV grant in September 2022.
• To reflect falling technology costs, supports under the MSS will gradually reduce over time from 2024, to take account of reducing system costs.

Why the Clean Export Premium (CEP) Was Superseded

Early policy consultations proposed a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff for commercial installations between 6.1 kW and 50 kW. However, the Department and SEAI altered the support architecture to prioritise upfront capital deployment:

• Grant Expansion: An extended funding range from €2,700 to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes between 7 kWp and 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis to the end of 2023.
• Statutory Outcome: Crucially, these expanded support measures for non-domestic applicants negate the need to develop and implement the Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff; which was the measure originally envisaged for providing support for installations between 6.1 kW and 50kW.
• Capacity Scope: Through SEAI, grant funding is available for systems up to a maximum 1000kWp, enabling commercial businesses to receive a government grant of up to €162,600.

Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) Remuneration

Instead of an administrative feed-in tariff, export remuneration is delivered via market competition:

• Remuneration Right: The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff provides an opportunity for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland to receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid.
• Transposition: The CEG became available upon the transposition of Article 21 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) into Irish law on 15 February 2022.
• Tax Exemption: Since January 2022, a tax exemption applies to income up to €200 per year received by domestic micro-generators from their suppliers by way of the CEG.
• Metering Infrastructure: To support export recording, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) have set a 4 month window for ESBN to install a smart meter once a customer becomes eligible.