Solar Panel Installation Ireland
RetrofitIreland.ie provides solar panel installation across Ireland, delivered by SEAI-registered installers. 0% VAT, grants up to €1,800, and typical payback in 4 to 8 years.
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What Solar Panel Installation Involves
Solar panel installation is the fitting of photovoltaic (PV) panels to a roof to generate electricity from daylight, along with an inverter that converts the generated DC electricity into usable AC electricity for the home. Solar PV panels are distinct from solar thermal panels, which heat water rather than generate electricity.
A typical Irish system generates 850 to 1,100 kWh of electricity per kWp of installed capacity per year, depending on roof orientation and pitch. SEAI administers a solar PV grant of up to €1,800.
The grant held steady for 2026. After three straight years of cuts (€2,400 in 2023 down to €1,800 by 2025), the SEAI solar grant was confirmed unchanged for 2026 by the Minister in November 2025, the first year it hasn’t been reduced.
System Costs
The average cost per kWp installed is approximately €1,750–€1,975 before the grant, at 0% VAT. A 4.4 kWp, 10-panel system is the most common size for a 3-bed semi-detached home and maximises the €1,800 SEAI grant.
| System Size | Panels | Cost Before Grant | Net Cost After Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kWp | 8 panels | €5,950–€7,000 | €4,250–€5,300 |
| 4.4 kWp (most popular) | 10 panels | €7,300–€9,300 | €5,500–€7,500 |
| 5.6–6.2 kWp | 12–14 panels | €9,500–€12,000 | €7,700–€10,200 |
SEAI Solar PV Grant
| kWp Installed | Grant Calculation |
|---|---|
| First 2 kWp | €700 per kWp (€1,400 for 2 kWp) |
| 2 kWp to 4 kWp | €200 per additional kWp |
| 4 kWp or larger | Maximum €1,800 |
Most homeowners receive the full €1,800 because most residential systems are 4 kWp or larger. See our full grants guide for how this compares against every other SEAI measure.
Sizing by House Type
| House Type | Annual Usage | Recommended System |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed mid-terrace | ~3,200 kWh | 8 panels (~3.5 kWp) |
| 3-bed semi-detached | 4,400–4,600 kWh | 10 panels (~4.4 kWp) |
| Detached | ~7,300 kWh | 12–14 panels (5.6–6.2 kWp) |
Add 2,500 to 4,000 kWh to annual usage for an EV, or 3,000 to 6,000 kWh for a heat pump, when sizing a system for a home with either appliance. See the heat pump and EV charger pages for grant details on those upgrades.
Battery Storage
No SEAI grant exists for batteries. The previous €600 battery grant was discontinued. Batteries qualify for 0% VAT when installed as part of the same contract as the solar PV system, but the €1,800 solar grant covers panels only.
| Battery Size | Suits | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | 2–3 person household | €4,500–€5,500 |
| 7–10 kWh (most popular) | 3–4 bed Irish home | €5,500–€7,000 |
| 10 kWh+ | Home with EV or heat pump | €7,000+ |
Without a battery, a typical Irish home self-consumes only 30 to 50 percent of what its panels generate; the rest exports to the grid at a lower rate than it would have saved on an avoided import.
Is a Battery Worth Adding?
The answer depends on when you use electricity, not just how much you generate.
Add a Battery If
Most of your electricity use happens in the evening, or the home is empty during the day. A battery raises self-consumption from 30–50% to 65–80%.
Skip the Battery If
You already have a heat pump or EV absorbing daytime generation, or someone is home during the day using electricity directly.
The Real Comparison
Avoided import costs 33–38c/kWh. Export pays only 15–32c/kWh. Using your own power directly is always worth more than selling it.
How Solar Installation Works
SEAI-registered installers survey the roof, size the system, and handle the ESB Networks notification.
Select Solar on the Quote Form
Specify property type, roof orientation if known, current electricity usage, and county.
Receive Installer Contact
RetrofitIreland.ie sends the enquiry to SEAI-registered solar installers in the area.
Roof Survey
The installer assesses orientation, pitch, shading, and structural suitability, and calculates the recommended system size.
Written Quote and SEAI Application
Covers panels, inverter, mounting, wiring, and ESB Networks notification. Apply to SEAI before work begins. See the solar grant guide for the full application timeline and the no-minimum-BER rule.
Installation
Typically completed in 1 to 2 days for a standard residential system.
Commissioning and Export Registration
The installer submits the NC6 grid notification. Register with a supplier and get a smart meter to receive Clean Export Guarantee payments.
Risks, Exclusions, and Limitations
Build Date Cut-Off
The home must have been built and occupied before 2021.
No Battery Grant
Battery storage is not covered by the SEAI solar grant. Budget for this separately if self-consumption is a priority.
Roof Suitability
Heavily shaded roofs, roofs facing away from south, or roofs in poor structural condition may not deliver the expected output or may need remedial work before installation.
Smart Meter Required for Export Payments
Without a smart meter installed, a homeowner cannot receive Clean Export Guarantee payments for exported electricity.
Quotes Vary Significantly Between Installers
The same system size can differ by €2,000 or more between installers for identical specifications. Always compare at least three quotes.
Export Income Is Lower Than Self-Consumption Value
Exported electricity is paid at 15 to 32 cent per kWh, well below the 33 to 38 cent per kWh cost of imported grid electricity. Sizing a system to match daytime consumption, rather than maximising export, delivers the best financial return.
Solar Panel Questions
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Get a free solar quote from SEAI-registered installers near you. Fill in your details and an installer in your area will contact you directly with a roof survey and written quote.
SEAI-Registered Solar Installers Across Ireland
RetrofitIreland.ie covers all 26 counties. Select your county below to see installers in your area.
Carlow
Carlow Town, Muinebheag, Tullow, Hacketstown, Borris, Bagenalstown, Rathvilly
Cavan
Cavan Town, Bailieborough, Belturbet, Virginia, Cootehill, Kilnaleck, Kingscourt
Clare
Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna, Miltown Malbay, Scarriff, Sixmilebridge
Cork
Cork City, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Midleton, Mallow, Cobh, Fermoy, Clonakilty, Bantry, Kinsale, Youghal, Bandon, Skibbereen, Macroom, Mitchelstown
Donegal
Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Bundoran, Buncrana, Ballyshannon, Ballybofey, Dungloe, Killybegs, Glenties, Carndonagh
Dublin
Swords, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Malahide, Finglas, Ballymun, Coolock, Howth, Balbriggan, Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire
Galway
Galway City, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Athenry, Gort, Clifden, Oranmore, Moycullen, Headford
Kerry
Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Kenmare, Dingle, Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Castleisland, Ballybunion
Kildare
Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Athy, Clane, Kilcullen, Monasterevin, Rathangan, Castledermot
Kilkenny
Kilkenny City, Thomastown, Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh, Urlingford
Laois
Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Stradbally, Portarlington
Leitrim
Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Ballinamore
Limerick
Limerick City, Castletroy, Newcastle West, Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, Adare, Askeaton
Longford
Longford Town, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon, Lanesborough
Louth
Dundalk, Ardee, Carlingford, Termonfeckin, Blackrock, Dunleer, Tallanstown
Mayo
Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Swinford, Belmullet, Kiltimagh, Charlestown
Meath
Navan, Drogheda, Ashbourne, Trim, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Laytown, Kells, Enfield, Oldcastle, Slane, Dunboyne
Monaghan
Monaghan Town, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones, Ballybay
Offaly
Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry, Clara, Portarlington, Banagher, Ferbane
Roscommon
Roscommon Town, Boyle, Castlerea, Strokestown, Ballaghaderreen, Elphin, Athlone
Sligo
Sligo Town, Ballymote, Tubbercurry, Enniscrone, Collooney
Tipperary
Clonmel, Thurles, Nenagh, Tipperary Town, Carrick-on-Suir, Roscrea, Cahir, Cashel, Templemore, Borrisokane
Waterford
Waterford City, Tramore, Dungarvan, Lismore, Portlaw, Kilmacthomas, Cappoquin, Tallow
Westmeath
Mullingar, Athlone, Moate, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad, Delvin, Castlepollard
Wexford
Wexford Town, Gorey, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Bunclody, Rosslare, Ferns, Courtown, Kilmore Quay, Taghmon
Wicklow
Bray, Greystones, Wicklow Town, Arklow, Blessington, Enniskerry, Baltinglass, Kilmacanogue
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