Kerry council urged to install solar panels on housing amid energy price surge

Kerry County Council has been urged to install solar panels on all social housing due to rising energy costs. The proposal includes fitting solar panels on future social housing buildings and retrofitting existing stock. The aim is to reduce tenant energy bills and potentially allow tenants to sell electricity back into the grid. The initiative is also presented as a way to lower emissions and support climate obligations. The council notes that new social housing must meet energy efficiency requirements, including a minimum BER rating of A2 and heat pumps. Additional funding for boilers or photovoltaics alongside heat pumps may be available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, subject to housing department approval.

"Councillor Paul Daly said upgrading the county's housing stock could hit many birds with one stone, even generating money for tenants. At a recent council meeting, Cllr Daly highlighted the spikes in energy costs in the last four years, adding that Ireland had one of the highest energy costs in Europe. He argued that installing solar panels on all future social housing buildings and retrofitting the existing stock could reduce bills, potentially even making money for tenants selling energy back into the grid."

"He argued that installing solar panels on all future social housing buildings and retrofitting the existing stock could reduce bills, potentially even making money for tenants selling energy back into the grid. Cllr Daly also pointed out that this initiative would reduce emissions and help Kerry County Council (KCC) with their climate obligations. "I just don't think enough is being done, there a great way to reduce energy costs and it can future proof energy costs going forward," he said."

"Councillor Dierdre Ferris seconded the motion, adding that other green alternatives like storage heating could be very expensive. She said solar panels could keep costs down, while still providing benefits to social housing tenants. The council said all new social housing stock is required to have an energy efficiency with a minimum BER rating of A2, including heat pumps."

"They said the provision of a boiler or photovoltaics, in addition to a heat pump, would be funded via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and would be subject to approval from KCC's housing department."

Read at Irish Independent