Scaling up for a sustainable future Solar sector now at pivotal moment

Notably, 20% of these connections were delivered in the past six months, with ESB Networks processing applications at a rate of 750 per week.

Ireland’s solar energy landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. According to ISEA’s Scale of Solar 2024 report, the country saw a staggering 43% increase in installed solar capacity in just one year. This rapid expansion highlights the growing importance of solar energy in Ireland’s renewable energy mix and sets the stage for an even more ambitious future. Conall Bolger, CEO, Irish Solar Energy Association, explains.

Acloser look at the data reveals impressive growth across various categories:

• Domestic solar: Increased by 58%, reflecting a significant rise in household solar installations;

• Commercial and industrial solar: Grew by 35%, showing robust uptake in business sectors;

•Utility-scale solar: Expanded by 50%, underscoring major investments in large-scale solar farms.

ESB Networks recently announced that over 100,000 rooftop solar microgenerators have now been connected to Ireland’s electricity network, cumulatively adding over 400MW of clean energy to the power system. This significant milestone reflects the consumer appetite for zero-carbon energy and supports Ireland’s trajectory towards net zero.

Looking ahead, the need to scale up our solar capacity is critical, particularly as we aim to meet ambitious targets set by the government and industry stakeholders. With the current pipeline of projects and the government’s goal of 8GW by 2030, we must double our annual rate of solar deployment to achieve these objectives.

Key enablers for scaling solar

To meet these targets, several key enablers must be addressed:

• Planning system reform: Streamlining the planning process and recognising the overarching importance of renewable energy is essential. This includes adapting legislation to support rapid deployment and integrating solar into urban and rural planning frameworks; ª Building a renewable-based grid: Developing a robust grid capable of handling increased renewable input is crucial. This involves not only expanding grid capacity but also enhancing the systems required to manage and distribute solar energy effectively;

• Efficient grid utilisation: Increasing the efficiency of grid use through innovations like private wires and hybrid systems will help maximise the potential of solar energy. These systems allow for more flexible and resilient energy distribution;

• Market evolution: The energy market must evolve to support the integration of solar energy. This includes creating favourable conditions for investment and ensuring fair pricing mechanisms for solar-generated electricity.

Opportunities and challenges

The transition to renewable energy presents a tremendous opportunity for Ireland, both economically and environmentally. Scaling solar energy production can drive economic growth, create jobs and enhance energy security.

The 2022 MaREI report, Quantifying the Rooftop Solar Potential in Ireland, provides a comprehensive assessment of the electricity generation potential from residential rooftop solar PV technology in the country, and underscores the urgent need for scaling, revealing significant untapped potential in Irish houses.

The report highlights that deploying solar panels on just one million homes could save €450 annually on electricity bills for each household, reduce carbon emissions significantly, and meet a substantial portion of the renewable electricity targets.

However, this scaling must be sustainable:

• Supply chain development: Building a robust delivery capability for solar in the supply chain is critical. Yet, it is equally important to ensure that the manufacturing supply chain adheres to sustainable practices, minimising environmental impacts and promoting ethical standards;

• Community engagement and planning: Effective planning legislation is indeed necessary, but we also need to engage communities and the public. Winning their support and addressing their concerns will be vital for the longterm success of solar projects. Public education coupled with transparent communication will play key roles in this process.

Advancements and global trends

Globally, the solar sector is evolving at quite a remarkable pace. According to Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2023, solar energy is set to supply 6% of global electricity this year, with installed capacity doubling almost every three years.

Technological advancements are making solar panels more efficient and versatile, expanding their applicability across various settings.

The new EU-wide solar standard mandates solar installations on new, commercial and public buildings by the end of 2026; non-residential by the end of 2027; new residential buildings by the end of 2029; and all existing public buildings (in steps depending on the size) by 2030. This will have a profound impact on the Irish construction sector, driving demand for solar installations, influencing building design and renovation practices, and creating opportunities for both growth and innovation. The sector must now adapt swiftly to meet these new requirements, ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of sustainable construction and renewable energy adoption.

Solar Ireland 2024

To delve deeper into these topics and explore the future of solar energy in Ireland, the ISEA is hosting its flagship Annual Conference, “Solar Ireland 2024: Road to 2030”, at the RDS in Dublin on 1 October 2024. The conference will provide valuable insights into the roadmap for the industry, with industry experts discussing both the opportunities and the challenges we face as we aim to scale solar energy sustainably. Key topics will include:

• Businesses, the economy and the energy transition;

• Supply chain and sustainability;

• Rooftop standards co-hosted with WISE(IR);

• Biodiversity and agriculture;

• Planning Bill – navigating a changing planning landscape;

• Building a delivery and operations supply chain;

• Successful community engagement;

• Future technology in solar.

The Irish solar sector stands at a pivotal moment. With strategic planning, technological innovation and robust community engagement, we can harness the full potential of solar energy to drive Ireland’s energy transition. The future is bright – together we can illuminate a sustainable path forward.