Solar energy and the power grid

Sir, – Instead of talking to the Electrical Power Research Institute in the US about the problems of connecting solar electricity to the grid, why doesn't ESB Networks talk to its counterparts in the UK about how easy it is ("Smart power to revolutionise future use of electricity", Innovation. October 4th)?

There, over the past 15 years, over 250,000 solar energy systems have been installed, mainly in domestic or farm settings, for a total of 3,400 MW. In addition the solar electricity suppliers are paid over £0.13 for each unit of electricity generated as well as £0.05 for each unit exported to the power grid. In Belgium, with a smaller solar yield than Dublin, over 3,000 MW are installed whereas in all of Ireland we have less than 1 MW! – Yours, etc,

GERARD WRIXON,

Kinsale,

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Co Cork.