Solar Panel Grant Ireland 2026
How the SEAI solar PV grant actually works. The sliding-scale calculation, the no-minimum-BER rule, the separate application portal, and the mistakes that delay payment.
How the Grant Is Calculated
The Solar Electricity Grant pays up to €1,800 toward a solar PV installation, calculated on a sliding scale by system size. The grant is funded by SEAI, applied for by the SEAI-registered installer before work begins, and paid to the homeowner’s bank account after the work is completed and a post-works BER assessment is uploaded. For system sizing, battery decisions, and cost, see the full solar panel installation guide.
The maximum grant was confirmed to remain at €1,800 for 2026 by Minister O’Brien, the first year since 2023 it hasn’t been reduced.
| kWp Installed | Grant Rate |
|---|---|
| First 2 kWp | €700 per kWp (€1,400 total) |
| 2 kWp to 4 kWp | €200 per additional kWp |
| 4 kWp or larger | Maximum €1,800 |
Most residential systems are 4 kWp or larger, so most homeowners receive the full €1,800.
Eligibility
- Home must have been built and occupied before 1 January 2021 (based on ESB Networks meter connection date, not construction completion date)
- No previous SEAI solar PV grant claimed at the same MPRN
- SEAI-registered installer only
- No minimum BER rating required, this was removed in 2022
- Available to both owner-occupiers and landlords; the application must be submitted by the property owner, not a tenant
Battery storage is not included. There is no standalone SEAI grant for residential battery storage in 2026. Batteries are funded separately, though they qualify for 0% VAT when supplied and installed under the same contract as the solar PV system.
No Minimum BER Rating Required
Because a rating threshold applied to this grant until 2022, some homeowners assume their home needs to hit a specific BER to qualify. It doesn’t.
What’s Actually Required
A BER must exist for the property, and a post-works assessment is required after installation. Neither certificate needs to hit a specific rating.
What Changed in 2022
The previous B2 minimum rating requirement was removed. This applies only to solar; other grants like heat pumps have their own separate fabric standard.
The Application Process
Solar uses its own dedicated portal and timeline, different from other SEAI grants.
Confirm Eligibility
Built and occupied before 1 January 2021, based on the ESB Networks meter connection date.
Choose a Registered Installer
RetrofitIreland.ie connects homeowners with SEAI-registered solar installers across all 26 counties.
Installer Applies via mgen.seai.ie
Solar’s dedicated application portal, separate from the general home energy grants system.
Approval
Slower than the near-instant approval typical of heat pump applications.
Installation and ESB Notification
The installer submits an ESB Networks NC6 form to register and connect the system.
Arrange the Post-Works BER
Many homeowners forget this step. No minimum rating is required, it simply needs to be completed and published.
Payment Processed
After all documentation is uploaded and the post-works BER is published.
What Causes Payment Delays
A delayed post-works BER is the single most common cause of payment delays. Applications can only be processed once all documentation is complete and the BER is published on the National BER Register.
Battery Assumptions
Don’t assume the €1,800 figure includes a battery. It applies to the solar PV system only.
New Builds Don’t Qualify
Properties built from 2021 onward don’t qualify, as they’re expected to meet solar provision through Part L building regulations instead.
Only the Property Owner Can Apply
Tenants cannot apply, even with landlord permission.
The 8-Month Completion Window
Once approved, all works and documentation must be completed within 8 months or the offer expires.