Bord Gáis Solar Panels Review 2026: Prices, Pros & Cons vs Independent Installers
Is Bord Gáis solar worth the premium? We compare Bord Gáis solar panel prices, packages, and installation against independent SEAI-registered installers in Ireland.
Bord Gáis Energy entered the residential solar market in 2022, offering solar panel packages to Irish homeowners through their own installation service. As one of Ireland's largest energy suppliers, they bring brand recognition and existing customer relationships — but does that translate into the best deal for your solar installation?
We've compared Bord Gáis solar packages against independent SEAI-registered installers on price, equipment, warranties, and after-sales support to help you decide.
What's Inside a Bord Gáis Solar Package
Every Bord Gáis solar package — regardless of system size — ships with the same standard kit. Based on quotes pulled directly from their solar calculator (April 2026):
- Solar panels: Jinko N-Type 460W — Tier 1 N-Type panels with a 30-year manufacturer warranty
- Inverter: Huawei hybrid inverter (battery-ready) with a 10-year warranty
- Mounting: Van Der Valk rail-and-clamp system with a 12-year warranty
- Workmanship: 5-year guarantee on the installation itself
- Safe Electric Certification — the electrical sign-off required for the SEAI grant
- Free lifetime system monitoring via the Huawei app
- SEAI grant handling — Bord Gáis files the NC6 form and the grant application on your behalf, then organises your post- install BER assessment
- Finance option — up to 10-year terms via Finance Ireland at 6.7% APR
Packages range from 8 panels up to 16+ panels. Battery storage (Huawei LUNA2000, typically 5 kWh) is offered as a separate add-on.
Worth noting: the panel/inverter/mounting kit doesn't change with system size — you get the same Jinko + Huawei + Van Der Valk hardware whether you order 8 panels or 16. The only thing that scales is the number of panels (and therefore the inverter sizing).
Bord Gáis Solar Panel Prices
Bord Gáis don't publicly list their solar prices — you need to request a quote. Based on customer reports and industry feedback, their pricing typically falls in these ranges (before SEAI grant):
| System size | Panels | Bord Gáis (est.) | Independent installers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 kWp | 8 panels | €8,000–€8,400 | €7,500–€8,500 |
| 4.6 kWp | 10 panels | €8,600–€9,000 | €8,300–€9,000 |
| 5.5 kWp | 12 panels | €9,900–€10,300 | €9,200–€9,900 |
| 7.4 kWp | 16 panels | €11,000–€11,700 | €11,800–€13,000 |
| Battery add-on | 5 kWh | €4,000–€4,500 | €3,000–€4,500 |
These are estimates based on publicly available reports and may vary. The SEAI grant of up to €1,800 applies regardless of whether you go with Bord Gáis or an independent installer.
For a detailed breakdown of what solar costs in Ireland, see our solar panel cost guide.
Are Bord Gáis Solar Panels More Expensive?
Not necessarily. On smaller systems Bord Gáis often comes in at or slightly below the typical Irish installer market, while on larger systems they trend toward the higher end. Across the range, they sit roughly in the middle of the market — they're not the cheapest, but they're not unusually expensive either. What you're paying for is primarily:
- Brand overhead — marketing, customer service infrastructure, corporate costs
- Subcontracted installation — Bord Gáis doesn't employ installers directly; they use approved contractors
- Convenience — a single point of contact for energy supply, solar, and potentially battery/EV charging
Whether Bord Gáis is the right choice depends on how much you value the convenience of dealing with a large, established company. On price alone, you'll often find a comparable quote from a local installer; on equipment and warranty, the offering is broadly similar to mid-market Irish independents.
Bord Gáis vs Independent Solar Installers
| Bord Gáis | Independent installers | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Mid-market — comparable to independents | Wider range; cheapest options come from smaller local installers |
| Equipment | Jinko N-Type 460W panels, Huawei hybrid inverter, Van Der Valk mounting | Varies — ask about brands |
| Installation | Subcontracted crews | Often installed by the company itself |
| SEAI grant | Handled for you | Also handled for you (standard practice) |
| Warranty | 30 yr panels, 10 yr inverter, 12 yr mounting, 5 yr workmanship | Typically 25 yr panels, 5–10 yr inverter, 2–10 yr workmanship |
| After-sales | Large company, dedicated support line | Direct contact with installer |
| Export tariff | Bord Gáis CEG rate | Choose any supplier's export rate |
| Flexibility | Standardised packages | Custom system design |
| Wait times | Can be 6–12 weeks | Often 2–6 weeks |
Bord Gáis Solar Panels: Pros
- Established brand. Bord Gáis isn't going anywhere. If you need warranty support in 10 years, they'll still be around. Some smaller installers may not be.
- One bill, one company. If you're already a Bord Gáis electricity customer, having solar through them keeps everything in one place.
- Finance options. Bord Gáis may offer payment plans or financing that smaller companies can't match.
- Clean Export Guarantee. As your electricity supplier, they can offer a seamless export tariff for surplus solar generation.
Bord Gáis Solar Panels: Cons
- Not the cheapest option. Smaller local installers can often beat Bord Gáis on price, especially if you're flexible on equipment brand. Always get 2–3 independent quotes before signing.
- Subcontracted installation. You don't choose who installs your panels. The quality of subcontractors can vary, and you're less likely to deal with the same person throughout.
- Less flexibility. Standardised packages may not perfectly suit your roof or usage. Independent installers typically design a custom system after a detailed site survey.
- Longer wait times. Large energy companies often have longer lead times due to high demand and scheduling subcontractors.
- Locked into their export rate. While you can switch electricity supplier at any time, going through Bord Gáis may create a perception of lock-in. Always compare export tariff rates across suppliers.
What About SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland Solar?
Bord Gáis isn't the only energy supplier offering solar. SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland have similar propositions. The same trade-offs apply — brand reliability and convenience versus price and flexibility. If you're considering any of the big energy companies for solar, get quotes from at least 2–3 independent SEAI-registered installers as well so you can compare like-for-like.
How to Compare Solar Quotes Properly
Whether you go with Bord Gáis or an independent installer, make sure you're comparing on these points:
- Total cost after SEAI grant — the number that actually matters
- Panel brand and wattage — higher wattage panels (e.g. 430W vs 380W) produce more per panel. Check our solar panel brands guide for what to look for
- Inverter brand and type — hybrid inverters cost more but support battery add-ons later. See our inverter comparison
- Workmanship warranty — how long does the installer guarantee their work? (Manufacturer warranties are separate)
- Estimated annual generation (kWh) — based on your roof orientation, pitch, and shading
- Installation timeline — when can they start and finish?
Use our solar savings calculator to estimate what a system would save you based on your specific situation.
Should You Get Solar Panels from Bord Gáis?
Bord Gáis is a perfectly fine choice for solar panels if you value the convenience and security of dealing with a large energy company. Pricing is roughly in line with independent installers — you're not paying a huge premium, but you're also unlikely to get the cheapest possible quote.
If you want the cheapest possible install, a custom system design, or faster scheduling, a smaller local installer will often beat them on all three. The equipment and SEAI grant are the same either way — the main differences are pricing flexibility, who does the work, and how responsive aftercare is.
Our recommendation: get at least 3 quotes — one from Bord Gáis (or your energy supplier) and two from local top-rated independent installers. Compare the total cost, equipment, and warranties side by side. For a full overview of what to expect, see our complete guide to solar panel costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Bord Gáis solar panels cost?
Bord Gáis solar panels typically cost €8,000–€11,700 before the SEAI grant, depending on system size. That puts them roughly in line with the wider Irish installer market — neither cheapest nor most expensive. After the SEAI grant of up to €1,800, a typical 4.4 kWp (10-panel) system from any installer costs around €6,500–€7,200 net.
Are Bord Gáis solar panels good quality?
Yes. Bord Gáis ships Jinko N-Type 460W panels (Tier 1, 30-year warranty), a Huawei hybrid inverter (10-year warranty), and Van Der Valk mounting (12-year warranty) on every install — the same kit you'd get from many mid-market independent installers. The 30-year panel warranty is on the longer end of what's offered in the Irish market.
What brand of solar panels does Bord Gáis use?
Bord Gáis uses Jinko N-Type 460W panels, paired with a Huawei hybrid inverter and Van Der Valk mounting. This kit is consistent across all system sizes — only the panel count and inverter capacity change. Jinko is one of the world's largest panel manufacturers (Tier 1 in the BNEF tier ranking), and Huawei is one of the most widely-deployed inverter brands in Europe.
Can I get the SEAI grant through Bord Gáis?
Yes. The SEAI grant of up to €1,800 is available regardless of which installer you use, including Bord Gáis. They handle the grant application as part of their service — this is standard practice across all SEAI-registered installers.
Do I have to be a Bord Gáis customer to get their solar panels?
No. You don't need to be an existing Bord Gáis electricity or gas customer to use their solar installation service. However, being a customer may offer additional benefits like bundled export tariffs.
How long does Bord Gáis take to install solar panels?
From initial enquiry to installation, Bord Gáis typically takes 6–12 weeks. This includes the site survey, quote, and scheduling. The actual installation usually takes 1–2 days. Independent installers can often complete the process in 2–6 weeks.
Sources
- Bord Gáis Energy: Solar PV Installation, bordgaisenergy.ie
- SEAI: Solar Electricity Grant, seai.ie
- Selectra: Bord Gáis Solar Panels, selectra.ie
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.