Renewable Energy
Solar Panels in Ireland
With high energy prices in Ireland more people are considering Solar Panels as a way to help cut bills and take control over their home energy.
Find the best Solar Panel solution for your home with Power to Switch.
Solar Panels can be an effective way to generate renewable energy for your home, reduce bills and do your bit for the environment. Any surplus energy can be stored to use another time or sold back to the grid.
What are Solar Panels?
Solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home. The PV cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.
So by installing solar panels, you can generate your own renewable electricity.
Do solar panels work with Irish weather?
Yes, what may surprise many people is that PV cells do not need direct sunlight to work. Solar panels will still convert light into energy on overcast days…they’ll just absorb more when it’s sunny.
Even in Ireland’s mild climate, solar PV (photovoltaic) systems can produce a significant amount of energy. In fact, Ireland has good conditions for solar panels – a risk to panels’ efficiency is overheating, which is unlikely in Ireland! Also, Ireland enjoys a high average number of solar hours per day throughout the year. Whilst solar panels perform better during the summer due to longer days, they still generate electricity on cloudy or dark days, albeit at a lower level.
More and more homes and businesses are turning to solar panels to help manage costs and provide energy independence. According to the Sustainable Energy of Ireland (SEAI) over 100,000 homes in Ireland have solar panels already installed.
How much do Solar Panels cost to install in Ireland?
Although costs have fallen in recent years they still represent a significant financial decision.
The cost to install Solar Panels in Ireland will depend on the number of PV panels to be installed, brand / make of panels, and whether you include extras like batteries – but most homeowners report spending between €5,000 and €13,000 after taking into account the support through SEAI grants. Typically, solar panel systems could pay for themselves after 5-7 years and keep working for up to 20+ years.
If you’re still unsure whether to invest in solar panels, use the SEAI’s free solar electricity calculator which will calculate the savings you could make on your electricity bill and when you will have a return on your investment.
Costs can vary between installers and products, so we recommend getting quotes from SEAI-approved installers and ensure quotes include grant deduction, VAT, and installation.
How much could I save with Solar Panels
How much you could save on your electricity bills will depend on the number of panels you have installed, whether you include a battery and how much energy you use – the more you are at home during the day, the more you are likely to save.
On average:
A 4 kW system (8 – 10 panels) can save between €500–€700 per year on electricity bills.
If you add a battery, savings can increase by 20–30%, depending on your home energy use.
You can also earn extra income for exporting unused energy back to the grid
Grants to install Solar Panels in Ireland
Homeowners in Ireland can receive up to €1,800 in grants through the SEAI Solar PV Scheme, which helps reduce the cost of installing solar panels.
The grant can be used for the purchase and installation of your solar PV system, covering both equipment and labour. Solar Panel instals are also zero-rated for VAT which can provide an additional saving alongside the grant.
How much is the grant? The amount of grant support provided depends on the size of your installation. This is measured by the peak generation capacity of your solar panels, which is usually quoted in kW or kWp. The maximum grant amount for solar panel installation in Ireland is €1,800 (4kW, 8 – 10 panels)
The grant is capped (in 2025) at €1,800. The Government plans to reduce the grant by up to €300 every year, as it expects the cost of solar panel systems to reduce over time. It is intended that the grant will end in 2029.
Get Paid for Excess Solar Power
If your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, you can sell that extra power back to the grid. With the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), energy suppliers in Ireland will pay households for unused solar electricity they export. So if your panels generate more energy than your home uses then that surplus isn’t wasted – it can earn you money or credit on your electricity bill.
The amount you earn depends on how many panels are installed and how much of your solar electricity you use yourself. Most homes export around 10–40% of their solar electricity, which could add up to €100 to €300 per year in extra savings.
Some energy suppliers pay more than others, so it’s worth shopping around to get the best export rate. Most suppliers require that you use the same company for buying and exporting electricity, so it’s a good idea to check their rates and terms before signing up.
To get paid for any energy exported to the grid, here is what you’ll need:
A solar PV system connected to the grid.
A smart meter so your supplier can track how much electricity you export.
To be registered with your energy supplier (they’ll pay you directly or credit your bill).
If you prefer to keep any excess energy for your own use then installing a battery storage system is a good option. This will mean any excess energy from the PV cells can be stored and used whenever it is needed in your home.
How long do Solar Panels last for?
Solar Panels are built to last – and in Ireland, you can expect them to keep working efficiently for 25 to 30 years or more. That doesn’t mean they suddenly stop after that point. Instead, they’ll continue generating electricity, just at a slightly lower rate than when they were new.
Most manufacturers offer performance warranties of 25 years, which means your panels should still be producing around 80–85% of their original output at that stage. So when we say solar panels “last” for 25–30 years, we’re really talking about the period when they’re performing at their best.
Even beyond that, your panels can continue to produce clean electricity for many more years – just with a gradual decline in output. With proper care and regular checks on your system, solar panels can be a long-term, reliable investment in your home’s energy future.
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