- 42% of businesses say ‘yes’ to investing in solar panels if they can sell excess electricity
- Pinergy to play its part with a new MicroGen (microgeneration) offering where micro-generating businesses, homes & farms can sell their excess energy back to Pinergy for 13.5c per kWh
New independent research conducted on behalf of clean energy supplier Pinergy, by iReach, has indicated that 42 per cent of businesses will seriously consider investing in solar panel installations if they can sell excess electricity to the national energy grid. Pinergy has announced today a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff* of 13.5c per kWh, for eligible customers selling their excess solar energy back to Pinergy.
The iReach survey of 200 businesses nationwide has highlighted that over 66 per cent of businesses are now planning to take positive action in 2022 so they are more ‘sustainability focused’. The research also indicated that for 66 per cent of respondents, the need for businesses to play their part in a sustainable future was the top motivating factor for wanting to make sustainable changes. This was followed by the desire to ‘make the business look good’ (47 per cent) and ‘responding to customer demands’ (42 per cent).
In response, Pinergy is ramping up its service offerings and capabilities to support the growing demand from businesses, homes and farms looking to avail of the economic and environmental benefits of Solar PV panel installations.
Having last year acquired Solar Electric, Ireland’s leading solar PV business, Pinergy is now re-branding the solar energy business to become known as ‘Pinergy SolarElectric’ and thereby strengthening its alignment within the enlarged Pinergy business. To add further capacity and resources, Wexford-based Pinergy SolarElectric has created 10 new business development roles across the country.
Today’s Pinergy announcement comes ahead of what is expected to be a year of great opportunity for micro-generation and particularly for solar, in the energy market.
The rise in demand for solar energy comes as no surprise as the energy market continues to grapple with supply concerns and rising energy prices as it did throughout 2021. According to this new research, the cost associated with installing solar panels is the biggest barrier for businesses investing in solar, cited by six in 10 companies.
However, the cost associated with installing solar panels is now set to become more attractive due to the availability of generous SEAI grants and initiatives like the Pinergy Micro-Gen Plan under the Microgeneration Support Scheme. Solar energy can give businesses and individuals control over their energy supply and costs while empowering them to reduce their environmental impact.
Commenting on this latest development for Pinergy, Enda Gunnell, chief executive at the company said: “Ireland has committed itself to significant environmental targets and at Pinergy we believe solar energy will play a critical role in enabling us to achieve these targets.
“The introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme will play a vital role in Ireland’s energy transition. The Micro-generation Support Scheme coupled with revised SEAI grants will create a fantastic opportunity for individuals and businesses and will really incentivise people to invest in Solar PV panels in 2022.”
He continued: “We are seeing a clear shift in people’s mindsets in term of solar energy and taking control of their own needs through micro-generation. We believe the future will see even more demand for renewable energy generated locally which will bring us closer to achieving a more sustainable energy future for Ireland.”
Pinergy is seeing demand growing for micro-generation projects, particularly solar, from businesses, homes and farms already this year. The demand is caused by a number of factors such as, inflated energy pricing from the grid, a range of generous incentives such as SEAI grants and capital allowances, concerns about security of supply, a desire to enhance reputation in terms of sustainability and businesses looking to enhance their ESG reporting.
Pinergy’s new MicroGen Plan will see it pay 13.5c per kWh for any excess electricity generated for commercial and domestic customers during 2022 who sign up to the plan and who are on a Pinergy electricity supply contract.
“At Pinergy, it is our hope that these latest developments in our solar offering will empower 1,000s of businesses and homes to generate their own electricity and get paid for any supply they don’t use, thus reducing energy waste whilst getting paid for it” said Gunnell.
He added: “We are delighted to see a growing demand for more sustainable energy solutions. At Pinergy, we are committed to providing a range of energy solutions to our customers and we believe, working together, Pinergy and Pinergy SolarElectric can create a more sustainable energy future for all.”
ENDS
*The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland. It will allow them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.