Families ‘have no free cash for solar’

The slow take-up of PV panels schemes launched to help families invest in solar energy and reduce their electricity consumption is down to a lack of disposable income, according to suppliers. Companies supplying photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters to households have reported a drastic fall in interest in the scheme launched by the Government in May. They said that while previous schemes would result in a rush of people seeking quotations and information and a drastic increase in onsite visits, this year the interest was “mild”. They said this probably boiled down to lack of disposable income, with more people asking for credit payment terms and those asking to pay for the systems by instalments. The Government has so far received 4,329 applications for a rebate on the installation of PV systems on residential premises. The scheme was open to around 8,400 families who can apply for a rebate of 50 per cent on the purchase of PV panels, covering up to €2,500 of the price. A total of €21 million in EU funds has been poured into the scheme. This means just over half the budget has been used after only three months. Under this scheme, families are guaranteed a feed-in tariff of...