Solar panels are now one of Ireland’s most popular home upgrades. The SEAI solar PV grant reduces upfront cost significantly, and the Clean Export Guarantee means you earn money for every unit of electricity you send to the grid.
Grant amounts by system size
| System size | Grant |
|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €700 |
| 2 kWp | €1,400 |
| 3 kWp | €1,800 (cap applies) |
| 4 kWp | €1,800 (maximum) |
| 5 kWp+ | €1,800 (maximum, no increase above 4 kWp) |
Solar water heating (thermal panels): €1,200. This is a separate scheme from solar PV.
What size system should I install?
A typical Irish 3-bed home uses 4,000–5,000 kWh of electricity per year. A 4.4 kWp system (about 11–12 panels) can generate 4,000–4,500 kWh per year in Ireland. Most installers recommend 3.5–5 kWp for a typical household.
The marginal grant above 2 kWp is only €200/kWp, but energy generation scales linearly so it is usually still worth going to 4 kWp.
Clean Export Guarantee (CEG)
Since July 2021, all homes with solar panels have a right to be paid for electricity they export. Rates as of June 2026:
| Supplier | CEG rate |
|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity (Activ8) | 32.00 c/kWh |
| Pinergy | 25.00 c/kWh |
| Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh |
| Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh |
| Energia | 18.50 c/kWh |
| Yuno | 15.90 c/kWh |
| EcoPower | 15.20 c/kWh |
Typical costs and payback
A 4.4 kWp installed system costs approximately €8,300–9,000 before the €1,800 grant, around €6,500–7,200 after grant. Typical payback is 6–8 years, depending on your electricity consumption, tariff, and how much you export.
Use our solar payback calculator for a personalised estimate.
How to apply
Apply online at seai.ie/solar before works start. Works must be carried out by a SEAI-registered installer.