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Last updated: May 2026
Avg. sun hours/day
2.5 hrs
Avg. electricity rate
€0.34/kWh
Active programs
4
€700/kWp for the first 2 kWp + €200/kWp for additional capacity up to 4 kWp. Maximum grant €1,800 for a 4+ kWp system on a primary residence built before 2021.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Solar Electricity Grant supports new domestic solar PV installations on the homeowner's primary residence built and occupied before December 31, 2020 (build-date requirement updates periodically). The grant is paid post-installation upon submission of the SEAI BER (Building Energy Rating) certificate updated to reflect the system. Grant amount tiered: €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp, €200 per kWp for kWp 3 and 4, capped at €1,800 total. The system must be installed by an SEAI-registered installer. Customers must own the system (no leases or PPAs). Combines with the Microgeneration Support Scheme (CEG payments).
Tariff for solar PV exports to the grid. 2026 typical retailer rates €0.18–€0.24/kWh. Each retailer publishes own CEG rate; switching is straightforward.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) operated by Ireland's Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) requires licensed electricity suppliers to offer a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to customer-generators ≤ 6 kVA. Each supplier sets its own CEG rate; competition keeps rates active. Best 2026 fixed CEG rates around €0.21–€0.24/kWh (Energia, Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland competitive). Customers must have a smart meter with export capability — most installations after 2022 do. Tax-exempt status: CEG income up to €400/year per household is exempt from income tax under Section 192 of the Taxes Consolidation Act.
0% VAT (down from previous 13.5% reduced rate, and from 23% standard) on the supply and installation of solar PV systems for private dwellings. Saves approximately €3,000–€4,000 on a €15,000 system.
Ireland reduced VAT on residential solar PV equipment and installation from 13.5% to 0% effective May 1, 2023. The zero rate applies to the supply and installation of solar PV systems on private dwellings; the installer applies the 0% rate at point of invoice. Battery storage and electric vehicle chargers installed alongside or as part of the same residential PV contract may also qualify under specific conditions. Standalone equipment purchases without an installation service remain at standard 23% VAT. The zero rate is permanent in current legislation (no scheduled sunset).
Solar PV installation typically does not affect the Local Property Tax band. The system is not assessed as a separate item; LPT bands are based on overall property valuation which the addition of PV rarely shifts.
Local Property Tax (LPT) in Ireland is a self-assessed tax based on the market value of residential property. Solar PV installations do not trigger LPT reassessment in the way US property tax exemptions are required to override; the Irish system simply does not separately assess renewable energy equipment. The installation may modestly increase property value but rarely by enough to change the LPT band. Listed for completeness — there is no specific LPT-exemption application required for residential solar in Ireland.
Pre-filled with Ireland's sun hours and electricity rates.
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