What is SRESS?

The Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) offers farmers, community groups, schools, and businesses an opportunity to reduce their electricity costs and earn additional income by developing their own solar or wind projects: 

There are two options for renewable electricity projects:  

  1. SRESS self-consumer grant 
  2. SRESS export tariff   

**Note: You must choose either Option 1 or 2, i.e. if you choose Option 2, you cannot use any of your own electricity generated, you must sell it to the grid. ** 

How can TEA help?

Our experienced team will manage feasibility, compliance and application requirements to ensure your project can avail of this support scheme.  

TEA can support clients from initial project screening through to the application preparation and delivery planning. Our role will be to identify the right SRESS pathway, reduce uncertainty and ensure that the technical, financial, and compliance related requirements are planned from the point of conception.   

SRESS self-consumer grant

Those eligible for the SRESS self-consumer grant are electricity customers who generate renewable power primarily for their own use. If their main business is not electricity generation, they can also store any surplus energy or export excess electricity to the grid.   

Support is provided through the Non‑Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) (up to €162,600), which offers funding for systems above 50 kW and up to 1 MW. This is suitable for farms, businesses, and community buildings that want to reduce their own energy bills.

This option is suitable if the organisation wants:  

Reduce

Energy costs and carbon emissions

Improve

Energy resilience and utilisation of roof space

Receive grant support

towards capital cost of Solar PV

Any renewable electricity that the producer does not use on‑site can be exported to the grid. Under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), electricity suppliers will purchase this excess power, providing a financial return that helps support the investment in renewable generation.  

SRESS export tariff

The SRESS export tariff is suitable for projects which earn income from exporting all renewable electricity produced to the grid.   

There are two capacity bands:  

Anyone i.e. individuals, businesses etc, generating between 50kW and 1MW. Tariffed at the SME tariff rate, even if you are not an SME. 

Communities, SMEs, farming projects generating between 50kW and 6MW, tariffed at community or SME tariff rates, depending on ownership.  

The export tariff provides a 15-year guaranteed support for all the electricity you export, without an auction. The tariff varies depending on if the project is a Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) or a Renewable Energy Community (REC).  

SRESS REC Tariff Rates

–

Small-Scale Solar PV (greater than 50kW and up to 1MW)

Small-Scale Solar PV (greater than 1MW and up to 6MW)

Wind (greater than 50kW and up to 6 MW)

SRESS REC Tariff Rates

€150/MWh

€140/MWh

€90/MWh

SRESS SMEs Tariff Rates

€130/MWh

€120/MWh

€80/MWh

What we do

Project Feasibility

Review site suitability, electricity demand, available roof or land area, planning considerations and grid connection issues.

Route selection

Assess whether a self-consumer grant project or export tariff project is the better fit for the site and project objectives.

Business case support

Estimate likely savings, export income, capital cost implications, payback and key investment risks.

Grant tariff guidance

Support preparation of the information required for SEAI grant application or SRESS export tariff application.

Grid and planning coordination

Help clients understand the implications of ESB Networks connection requirements, planning permission, project milestones, and documentation needs.

Community Energy Support

Support Renewable Energy Communities with early-stage project planning, partner coordination, and decision making.

Delivery Support

Help clients move from concept to implementation with clearer project scope, procurement readiness, and delivery oversight.

Why choose Tipperary Energy Agency?

25+ Years Delivering Ireland's Energy Transition  

Tipperary Energy Agency is a not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 1998. We have been at the forefront of energy efficiency and retrofit in Ireland ever since, working with local authorities, communities, businesses, and the public sector across the country.  

25+ Years of Experience

Over two decades supporting Ireland's transition to sustainable energy use.

25+ Years of Experience

Over two decades supporting Ireland's transition to sustainable energy use.

40+ European Projects

Successfully completed more than 40 national and EU research and demonstration projects

40+ European Projects

Successfully completed more than 40 national and EU research and demonstration projects

€1.4M Savings Delivered

Helped Tipperary County Council alone achieve over €1.4M in energy cost savings.

€1.4M Savings Delivered

Helped Tipperary County Council alone achieve over €1.4M in energy cost savings.

SEAI Registered Auditors

Our auditors are SEAI-registered Certified Energy Managers (CEMs), meeting all statutory requirements.

SEAI Registered Auditors

Our auditors are SEAI-registered Certified Energy Managers (CEMs), meeting all statutory requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum project size to be eligible for SRESS?

Yes. To qualify for the SRESS export tariff, a project must have a generation capacity greater than 50 kW.  

For the NDMG self-consumer grant, there is no minimum size, but the installation must be below 1 MW to receive grant funding.

What renewable technologies are eligible for the grants?

The scheme is currently open to applications for solar and wind projects, as these technologies are expected to make up the majority of participants. As the scheme develops, additional renewable technologies may be considered for inclusion in future tariff categories.  

How does SRESS protect consumers from over-compensation?

Over‑compensation happens when an export project would earn excessively high revenue because electricity market prices rise above the level needed to support the project.  

SRESS uses a two‑way premium tariff for export‑led projects. This means that when electricity prices are high, projects do not receive excessive payments. Instead, any additional revenue above the agreed support level is returned to the Public Service Obligation (PSO), helping to protect electricity customers from higher costs.  

I’m new to renewable energy generation. What supports are available to help me get started? 

If you’re just beginning to explore renewable energy production, the SRESS scheme provides a straightforward alternative to the more complex, auction based RESS process. It offers guaranteed tariffs for export‑led projects along with several practical, non-financial supports, including:  

  • Simpler applications - a much less complicated process compared to RESS  
  • Flexible timing - you can apply at any point during the year rather than waiting for an annual auction  
  • More manageable project milestones - fewer strict deadlines than RESS  
  • Expert guidance for communities - free project‑planning advice is available to community applicants  

These features make SRESS particularly suitable for farms, SMEs, and community groups who are new to renewable energy and want a more accessible entry point.  

Speak to an expert

Looking for the right solution for your facility? Contact us today to discuss your needs and see how we can support your goals.