Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public… The Solar Electricity Grant provides a grant to help with the cost of buying and installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for your home.
The grant is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Their website is www.seai.ie
You must apply for the grant and get a grant offer from the SEAI before you get your solar panels and start any work.
When you get your grant offer, you must complete the work within 8 months. In 2026, the maximum you can get is €1,800 depending on how many solar panels you install.
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The Government plans to reduce the grant by up to €300 every year, as the cost of solar panels reduce. The grant is due to end in 2029.
The work must be finished before you can get your grant payment. There are a number of things to consider before applying for the grant. For example, you should check if you should insulate your home first and if you’ll need planning permission.
What are solar panels?
Solar panels are devices that use sunlight to generate hot water, or electricity to power electrical devices in your home.
Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels generate electricity when exposed to light. Solar PV is the rooftop solar you see on homes and businesses.
Solar panels that produce hot water are known as solar thermal collectors or solar hot water collectors.
This Solar Electricity Grant focuses on PV, where solar electric panels capture the light from the sun and convert it into the electricity that is used in your home to power your TV, kettle, toaster and so on. These panels are often mounted on the roof of your house or in the garden.
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Do I qualify for the Solar Electricity Grant?
To qualify for a grant, you must:
• Be the owner of a home built and occupied before 2021
• Use new materials and products that were not already covered by another grant scheme
• Use a registered company from the SEAI’s registered list of companies
• Have the electrical works completed by a Safe Electric Ireland electrician
• Apply to ESB Networks to be connected to the electricity distribution system using the ESB Networks NC6 form. Your registered installer should do this for you before they fit the system.
• Provide a Declaration of Works signed by a registered installer on the SEAI Solar PV • Approved Installer list
• Have a Building Energy Rating (BER) carried out after the work is completed
• Meet the requirements in the Solar PV Code of Practice
• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.
The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
