Best Electricity Provider for Solar Panels in Ireland
If you have solar panels, the electricity supplier you choose directly changes how much you earn for the energy you export to the grid. Every Irish supplier publishes its own Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) rate, and the gap between highest and lowest is now nearly 10 c/kWh. Here is how the eleven Irish suppliers compare for solar households, ranked by export rate.
Last verified 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Pinergy pays the highest standard Clean Export Guarantee rate in Ireland at 25.0 c/kWh, ahead of SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland on 19.5 c/kWh. Bord Gáis, Energia and Flogas all pay 18.5 c/kWh. Yuno Energy and PrePayPower sit at the lower end on around 15.9 c/kWh, while EcoPower is the lowest at 15.2 c/kWh. Switching from a 15 c rate to Pinergy's 25 c rate on a 4.4 kWp system can add €200 to €350 to your annual export earnings.
CEG Rate Comparison: Every Irish Supplier
Sorted highest to lowest. All rates are inclusive of VAT and apply to the standard residential Clean Export Guarantee tariff offered by each supplier.
| # | Supplier | CEG Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pinergy | 25.0 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit | Highest published standard CEG rate in Ireland. |
| 2 | SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit | Standard rate (19.5 c/kWh). 'Microgen+' premium tier pays standard + 12.5 c/kWh year 1 (~32 c) and standard + 7.5 c/kWh year 2 (~27 c), restricted to customers of the Activ8 Solar/Battery installation programme; not available on switch-in alone. |
| 3 | Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | Variable rate, subject to change. Largest customer base in the country. |
| 4 | Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) | "Microgen Export Plan": 18.5 c/kWh ex-VAT (~20.2 c/kWh inc 9% VAT). Paid quarterly, starting 3 months after registration. |
| 5 | Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit | Unlimited exports, no cap on volume paid for. Bi-monthly bill credit. |
| 6 | Flogas | 18.50 c/kWh | Every 2 months | Standard CEG rate effective 6 Nov 2023: 18.5 c/kWh ex-VAT (20.0 c/kWh inc 9% VAT). Bi-monthly credit. |
| 7 | Yuno Energy | 15.89 c/kWh | Twice yearly | 14.58 c ex-VAT. Partnership rate of 29 c/kWh for PV Generation installer customers only. |
| 8 | PrePayPower | 15.89 c/kWh | Twice yearly | 14.0 c ex-VAT. Pay-as-you-go customer base; SEG paid twice yearly. |
| 9 | EcoPower | 15.20 c/kWh | Quarterly | Lowest published standard CEG rate of the active suppliers tracked. |
| – | Community Power | Not published | – | Rate not published online; contact 067-56005 to confirm. |
Rates change without regulatory approval. CRU does not set the CEG rate. Always confirm the live rate on the supplier's own page before switching. We re-verify these quarterly.
How the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) Works
The Clean Export Guarantee, sometimes called SEG, the Smart Export Guarantee, or simply "export tariff", is the per-kWh payment your electricity supplier makes for the surplus solar electricity you push back to the grid. It was introduced in February 2022 under EU Renewable Energy Directive II.
1. You generate solar
A typical 4.4 kWp Irish home system generates about 3,800 to 4,200 kWh per year.
2. You self-consume what you can
Most homes consume 30 to 50% of generation directly. A battery raises this to 70 to 80%.
3. The rest is exported
Surplus flows to the grid via your smart meter and is paid for by your supplier at the CEG rate.
For more on the underlying scheme, see our microgeneration guide.
How Much You Earn at Each Rate
For a typical 4.4 kWp home solar system in Ireland exporting roughly 2,000 kWh/year (after self-consumption), here is what each rate is worth annually:
| CEG Rate | Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh) | vs. lowest rate |
|---|---|---|
| Pinergy (25.0 c/kWh) | €500 | +€196 |
| SSE Airtricity (19.50 c/kWh) | €390 | +€86 |
| Electric Ireland (19.50 c/kWh) | €390 | +€86 |
| Bord Gáis Energy (18.50 c/kWh) | €370 | +€66 |
| Energia (18.50 c/kWh) | €370 | +€66 |
| Flogas (18.50 c/kWh) | €370 | +€66 |
| Yuno Energy (15.89 c/kWh) | €318 | +€14 |
| PrePayPower (15.89 c/kWh) | €318 | +€14 |
| EcoPower (15.20 c/kWh) | €304 | – |
Switching from a low-rate supplier to Pinergy can add roughly €200 per year for the typical exporter, or €1,000 to €2,000 over the life of your panels. For high-export households (large systems with no battery), the savings can double.
How to Switch Supplier as a Solar Owner
- Confirm your smart meter is active. The CEG only pays measured exports. You need a smart meter installed and exporting reads. Check via your ESB Networks online account.
- Have your NC6 / mini-generator notification approved. Your installer will have lodged this with ESB Networks. You can't register for CEG without it.
- Check your current contract for early-exit fees. Most fixed contracts allow exit; some smart-tariff bundles charge €50.
- Choose your new supplier and switch online. Switching takes 2 to 14 days; you don't lose power.
- Register the microgenerator with the new supplier. Submit your NC6 confirmation, MPRN and IBAN. First CEG payment usually lands within one billing cycle.
Electricity Providers for Solar: Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the highest export rate in Ireland?
Pinergy currently pays the highest standard CEG rate at 25.0 c/kWh, with monthly bill credits. SSE Airtricity offers up to 32 c/kWh on a premium tier but it is restricted to customers of partner installers.
Can I switch to any electricity supplier with solar panels?
Yes. Every supplier in the Irish market is required by law to offer a Clean Export Guarantee tariff. The rate, payment frequency and conditions vary; the rates above are inclusive of VAT and apply to standard residential CEG plans.
Does the CEG rate change if I have a battery?
No. The CEG pays per kWh exported regardless of how you generated or stored the electricity. A battery reduces how much you export (because you self-consume more) but doesn't affect the rate.
Do I need to wait for a smart meter?
Yes for measured CEG payments. If you don't have a smart meter, some suppliers pay a 'deemed' rate based on assumed exports, but this is usually lower. Contact ESB Networks to upgrade your meter for free.
How often do CEG rates change?
Rates are set commercially by each supplier and can change with 30 days notice. Most providers review rates annually; we re-verify the table above quarterly.
Is the CEG payment taxable?
Under Section 216D of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as extended by Finance Act 2025 to 31 December 2028), the first €400 per year of CEG export income is exempt from income tax. Income above that is taxable.
Can I be on different suppliers for import and export?
No. Both your electricity supply and your CEG payment come from the same supplier. Switching supplier moves both at once.
Which provider is best for high-export households?
If you have a large system with little self-consumption, the rate matters most: Pinergy, then SSE Airtricity or Electric Ireland on 19.5 c/kWh. If you self-consume most of what you generate, prioritise the import (unit) rate instead, since CEG earnings will be modest.
Provider deep dives
Sources
- Pinergy: pinergy.ie
- SSE Airtricity: sseairtricity.com
- Electric Ireland: electricireland.ie
- Bord Gáis Energy: bordgaisenergy.ie
- Energia: energia.ie
- Flogas: flogas.ie
- Yuno Energy: yunoenergy.ie
- PrePayPower: prepaypower.ie
- EcoPower: ecopower.ie
- Community Power: communitypower.ie
- CRU microgeneration guidance: cru.ie
Last verified: 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
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.
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