Community evening in Kildare sparks interest in home energy upgrades

Over 60 Maynooth residents gathered in the Glenroyal Hotel, Kildare on Monday, September 22 last for a informative community energy evening hosted and organised by local Social Democrats councillor Peter Melrose.

The evening featured expert speakers from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Maynooth Sustainable Energy Community (SEC), and Life Credit Union, each offering practical guidance on how households can take advantage of SEAI grants, solar meitheals (group purchasing of solar panels), and one-stop-shop home energy upgrades.

Cllr Melrose described the event as “a bridge between interest and implementation”, as a key part of the event was connecting residents with local SEAI-registered energy suppliers.

“It can be a daunting and sometimes frustrating task to avail of the grants and to set up solar meitheals, so I brought together experts in advice and supply to help demystify the process”, Cllr Melrose said.

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The success of the evening was reflected not only in the strong turnout but in the level of engagement between residents and suppliers on all areas of home energy upgrades.

“It was satisfying to see and hear the hard work of organising and promoting the event paying off through the informative and productive conversations happening all around me in the room”.

Energy company contact sheets, SEAI grant guides, solar meitheal starter packs and supplementary follow-up materials are now available for those who were unable to attend.

To request a summary pack or learn more about upcoming initiatives, residents can contact Cllr Melrose at pmelrose@kildarecoco.ie.