Households are to be paid for renewable energy they produce under a new scheme announced by the Minister for the Environment today.
Eamon Ryan announced Government approval for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) today.
Speaking about the scheme, Mr Ryan said: "This marks an important step on the energy transition journey."
"Micro-generation has an important role to play in empowering and driving engagement and participation.
"It creates opportunities for domestic, community, farming and small commercial customers to take the first steps towards investment in renewable technologies, which can play a role in shaping electricity demand and decarbonising homes and businesses," said Mr Ryan.
The Clean Export Guarantee will allow households and communities with small installations of solar panels to be paid a competitive market rate for electricity that they export to the grid.
The Clean Export Premium guarantees a payment rate for the next 15 years for medium-sized generators such as solar panels on community centres and farm buildings.
Welcoming the news, the Green Party's spokesperson for climate action and environment Brian Leddin said: "The new announcement of a higher tariff for community groups and farmers is particularly welcome.
"It allows us all to take a collective stake in climate action by providing a stable source of income for sports halls, community groups, and other community-owned buildings through the production of solar power.
"Farmers will be offered a sustainable and stable source of income from solar power while ensuring that they are less vulnerable to electricity price rises," said Mr Leddin.
