Commercial Solar Grants in Ireland: SEAI NDMG, TAMS 3 & Tax Relief
The main commercial solar grant in Ireland is the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG), which pays up to €162,600 towards solar PV on business premises, farms, schools, community centres and other non-profits. Farms can instead use TAMS 3 (up to 60% of cost), and trading companies can write off 100% of the remaining cost in year one through the Accelerated Capital Allowance. For applications from 7 October 2026 to 6 July 2027 the NDMG is temporarily doubled, to a maximum of €325,200, capped at 45% of the invoiced cost. This guide covers the grant rates by system size, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply. For system costs and ROI, see our full commercial solar guide.
Last updated October 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Commercial solar grants in Ireland are led by the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG), which covers systems up to 1,000 kWp with a maximum grant of €162,600. Rates run from €2,400 flat on small systems to €150-€300 per kWp on larger ones. Farms can use TAMS 3 (60% grant) instead, and companies can claim 100% Accelerated Capital Allowance in year one. For applications from 7 October 2026 to 6 July 2027 the NDMG is temporarily doubled, to a maximum of €325,200, and SEAI pays the lower of that or 45% of the invoiced cost. You must receive your Letter of Offer before any work begins.
NDMG doubled to an effective 45% rate until 6 July 2027
On 29 September 2026 the Government announced a temporary increase in the Non-Domestic Microgen Grant. For a period of 9 months, grant rates rise from about 23% of the cost of installation to an effective 45% rate. SEAI has now published the terms: the per-kWp rates are doubled, the maximum grant rises from €162,600 to €325,200, and the grant paid is the lower of the per-kWp figure or 45% of the invoiced cost. The enhanced rate opens for applications at 8am on 7 October 2026 and runs to 6 July 2027. SEAI estimates savings of approximately €12,000 a year for an average installation, across roughly 1,250 businesses, and says businesses could cut annual energy costs by up to €300,000 depending on scale.
| 50 kWp system | Standard rate | Enhanced rate (to 6 July 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (ex-VAT) | €40,000–€55,000 | €40,000–€55,000 |
| Grant | €12,600 | €18,000–€24,750 |
| Net cost before tax relief | €27,400–€42,400 | €22,000–€30,250 |
At the enhanced rate a 50 kWp system has a per-kWp grant value of €25,200, but SEAI pays the lower of that or 45% of the invoiced cost, which is €18,000–€24,750 on this system. The enhanced rate is only for new applications made from 6 October 2026. Existing applications are not increased, and if work has already started on an existing offer you cannot seek the higher amount.
The same announcement raises grant aid for heat pumps and solar thermal under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme to 45% of eligible costs, with estimated savings of approximately €3,500 for each.
Source: SEAI, 29 September 2026, and SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant, checked 6 October 2026.
SEAI commercial solar grant rates (2026)
The Non-Domestic Microgen Grant covers solar PV systems up to 1,000 kWp (1 MWp). The standard maximum grant is €162,600; for applications from 7 October 2026 to 6 July 2027 it is €325,200. Smaller systems get a higher rate per kWp, and each rate applies to the kWp inside its band. There is one application per property, so the system should be sized for your full requirement first time. At the enhanced rate SEAI pays the lower of the figure below or 45% of the invoiced cost.
| System Size | Standard Rate | Enhanced Rate (7 Oct 2026 – 6 Jul 2027) | Example at Enhanced Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €900 | €1,800 | €1,800 |
| 2–6 kWp | €1,800 at 2 kWp, €2,100 at 3 kWp, €2,400 at 4–6 kWp | €3,600 at 2 kWp, €4,200 at 3 kWp, €4,800 at 4–6 kWp | €4,800 (6 kWp) |
| 7–20 kWp | €300/kWp | €600/kWp | €13,200 (20 kWp) |
| 21–200 kWp | €200/kWp | €400/kWp | €85,200 (200 kWp) |
| 201–1,000 kWp | €150/kWp | €300/kWp | €325,200 (1,000 kWp) |
In practice, commercial solar costs roughly €800–€900 per kWp installed, so the standard NDMG typically covers 20–35% of the gross cost of a mid-size system and the enhanced rate up to 45%. A 50 kWp installation costing €40,000–€55,000 attracts a standard grant of €12,600, or €18,000–€24,750 at the enhanced rate, bringing the net cost to €22,000–€30,250 before tax relief.
The rule that catches businesses out
You must apply, and receive your Letter of Offer, before any work begins, or the grant is lost entirely. The Letter of Offer is valid for 8 months, so start your ESB Networks connection application early: it takes a minimum of 4 weeks and runs on its own clock.
Which commercial buildings qualify for solar panel grants?
The NDMG applies to all non-domestic properties. That includes solar panel grants for commercial buildings, farms, schools, and community centres:
- Businesses and commercial operations
- Agricultural operations and farms
- Public sector bodies
- Schools and community centres
- Non-profit organisations
The key conditions: the premises must have been built and occupied on or before 31 December 2020, the NDMG must not have been claimed previously at the property, and the work must be carried out by an SEAI-registered installer. Tenants can apply with written landlord consent; the application is made by the entity that will use the electricity. Manufacturers qualify on the same terms; see our guide to solar panels for factories for sizing and real Irish plant examples.
Tax clearance
If your business receives more than €10,000 in public grants in a year, which most commercial solar applicants will, you need a valid Tax Clearance Certificate from Revenue Online Service (ROS) before submitting your NDMG application.
How to apply for the SEAI commercial solar grant
- Get quotes from SEAI-registered installers. The installer must be on the SEAI register for the grant to be paid. Compare commercial solar quotes to benchmark pricing per kWp.
- Sort tax clearance. Apply through ROS if your total annual public grants will exceed €10,000.
- Submit your NDMG application through the SEAI portal with your business details, MPRN and installer information.
- Wait for your Letter of Offer. No deposits, no orders, no roof work before it arrives. The offer is then valid for 8 months.
- Apply to ESB Networks for the grid connection (NC6 for smaller systems, NC7 up to 200kW). Minimum 4 weeks, so run it in parallel once your offer is in hand.
- Install, then claim. Your installer submits completion evidence to SEAI and the grant is paid within 4–6 weeks of complete documentation.
TAMS 3, ACA tax relief and VAT
TAMS 3: up to 60% for farms
Farms have a choice: the NDMG, or the Solar Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS 3, which grant-aids up to 60% of the cost of on-farm solar. You cannot combine both on the same installation, and which pays better depends on system size and your ceiling of remaining TAMS investment. See our farm solar guide for the comparison, and talk to your Teagasc adviser before choosing a route.
Accelerated Capital Allowance: 100% in year one
Companies and sole traders paying Irish tax can claim the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) on solar PV and battery equipment listed on the Triple-E register, writing off 100% of the qualifying spend against profits in year one instead of over 8 years. Combined with the NDMG, this is why a typical commercial system reaches payback in 5–7 years.
VAT treatment
VAT-registered businesses reclaim the VAT on a commercial solar installation as normal, and the NDMG grant itself is calculated on the ex-VAT cost. On a €61,500 gross install (€50,000 ex VAT), the grant applies to the €50,000.
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Get Commercial Solar QuotesCommercial Solar Grants FAQ
What grants are available for commercial solar panels in Ireland?
The main grant is the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG), worth up to €162,600 on systems up to 1,000 kWp. Farms can alternatively use TAMS 3, which covers up to 60% of on-farm solar. On top of either, trading companies can claim the Accelerated Capital Allowance to write off 100% of the remaining qualifying cost against profits in year one. For applications from 7 October 2026 to 6 July 2027 the NDMG is temporarily doubled, to a maximum of €325,200, capped at 45% of the invoiced cost.
How much is the SEAI commercial solar grant?
At the standard rate the NDMG pays €900 for a 1 kWp system, up to €2,400 for 2-6 kWp, then €300/kWp for 7-20 kWp, €200/kWp for 21-200 kWp, and €150/kWp for 201-1,000 kWp, up to a maximum of €162,600. For applications from 7 October 2026 to 6 July 2027 those rates are doubled, to a maximum of €325,200, and SEAI pays the lower of that figure or 45% of the invoiced cost.
Who is eligible for the commercial solar grant?
Businesses, farms, public sector bodies, schools, community centres and non-profits. The premises must have been built and occupied on or before 31 December 2020, the NDMG must not have been claimed at the property before, and an SEAI-registered installer must do the work. Businesses receiving over €10,000 in grants annually also need a Tax Clearance Certificate.
Is there a grant for solar panels on commercial buildings I rent?
Yes. Tenants can apply for the NDMG with written consent from their landlord. The application is made by the entity that will benefit from the electricity, typically the tenant occupying the building, but the grant itself is tied to the property, not the tenant.
Can I start the installation before the grant is approved?
No. You must receive your SEAI Letter of Offer before any work begins, including paying deposits, or the grant is lost entirely. The Letter of Offer is valid for 8 months once issued, and the grant is paid within 4-6 weeks of SEAI receiving your completion documentation.
Can farms combine TAMS 3 and the NDMG grant?
No, a single installation can use one route or the other. TAMS 3 grant-aids up to 60% of on-farm solar cost, which usually beats the NDMG on smaller farm systems, but it draws down the farm's TAMS investment ceiling. Compare both against your system size and remaining ceiling with your Teagasc adviser.
Related Guides
Sources
- SEAI: Enhanced grants announcement, 29 September 2026
- SEAI, Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMG)
- SEAI, Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA)
- Gov.ie, TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme
- ESB Networks, Micro and Small-Scale Generation
Last updated: October 2026
John Rooney is the editor 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.
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