The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has called on the government to increase supports available for solar PV installations for homes, farms and businesses as fuel costs rise.

MREF suggests an increase of at least 25% to empower everyone to take practical actions to counter the emerging energy crisis.

Chair of MREF, Ciaran Kells said that the evolving situation in the Middle East and the "choking-off" of oil and gas shipments via the Strait of Harmuz has the possibility to challenge every sector of the Irish economy like never before.

He said: “Increasing grant supports for micro-generation and battery energy storage would be a very constructive move to empower all sectors of our economy to adopt renewable energy and help the country deal with the significant energy challenges ahead."

Kells said the recent move by the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon to reject 90% of applications from farmers for a TAMS solar PV grant "is impossible to understand in relation to the energy crisis currently facing the Irish economy".

“Farmers are facing crippling cost increases as fertiliser and other costs escalate due to the Middle East conflict.

Kells further said that battery storage also has a huge potential to help balance available energy generation and use.

"Home businesses and farms should be encouraged to adopt battery technology and the case for grant support was never stronger," he said.

MREF calls on the government to introduce attractive grant support for battery storage and increase the support for solar PV micro generation as part of "a comprehensive response to very serious energy crisis the country faces".

MREF represents Ireland’s micro-generation and renewable installation sector.

It works with regulators, policymakers, and the public to ensure Ireland’s transition to renewable energy is safe, fair and technologically up-to-date.