DEAR SIR:

May I have a few lines to comment on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment’s Renewable Energy Support Scheme.

At Greentrack, we believe this should have been delivered years ago, however it is encouraging that a viable scheme is getting closer. The omission of micro-generation from any support is an oversight and will have to change.

Every SME and householder already pays a significant contribution towards renewable energy via their electricity bill and this is about to increase.

The emphasis on community involvement is good but it is through individual people and local business and farms in rural areas that communities grow and are encouraged.

It should not be government support of the collective to the detriment of the individual, but rather give everyone the option to buy in and contribute.

Undoubtedly, the large-scale projects receiving support will make the bigger contribution to our renewable targets, but some form of loan, grant or subsidy will have to be made available for small or micro generation projects, like domestic rooftop solar, which can make a significant contribution to offsetting increasing energy costs.

It also opens up the possibilities for homes, businesses and farms producing hot water and installing energy storage solutions in the near future.