Understanding solar payback requires looking at two income streams: what you save by not buying electricity (self-consumption), and what you earn by exporting excess generation (CEG).
Self-consumption savings
Each kWh you generate and use at home saves you the retail electricity rate. At 34.38 c/kWh, a home self-consuming 2,500 kWh/year saves €860/year.
A typical 4.4 kWp system generates ~4,200 kWh/year. Self-consumption typically runs at 30–50% for a family home without a battery (people are at work during peak generation hours). With a battery, self-consumption can rise to 60–80%.
Clean Export Guarantee rates (June 2026)
| Supplier | CEG rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity (Activ8) | 32.00 c/kWh | Solar-specific plan |
| 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 |
Important: To export, you need a smart meter (or export-capable meter). ESB Networks can upgrade your meter for free when you register for MRNO (Micro-Renewable Network Operator) status.
Example payback calculation
Scenario: 4.4 kWp system, €7,000 after SEAI grant, Pinergy CEG, typical family home
| Annual | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| System generation | 4,200 kWh | ~950 kWh/kWp for Ireland |
| Self-consumption (40%) | 1,680 kWh | |
| Export (60%) | 2,520 kWh | |
| Self-consumption saving | €578 | 1,680 × 34.38 c/kWh |
| CEG export earnings | €630 | 2,520 × 25.00 c/kWh |
| Total annual benefit | €1,208 | |
| Payback period | ~5.8 years | €7,000 ÷ €1,208 |
Use our interactive solar payback calculator to model your own scenario.
Does battery storage improve payback?
A 5–10 kWh battery typically costs €3,000–6,000 extra (not grant-eligible). By increasing self-consumption from 40% to 70%, it adds roughly €300–400/year in savings. Payback on the battery alone: 8–15 years. Adding a battery currently extends overall payback.
Battery storage is mainly valuable if:
- Your CEG rate is much lower than your import rate (which it currently is for most suppliers)
- You want resilience/backup power
- You have a heat pump or EV that can be charged from stored solar