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 standard rate is now 4.3 c/kWh. Here is how the 10 Irish suppliers we track compare for solar households, ranked by export rate.
Export rates verified 4 November 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland pay the joint-highest standard Clean Export Guarantee rate in Ireland at 19.50 c/kWh, while Bord Gáis, Energia, Flogas and Pinergy all pay 18.5 c/kWh (Pinergy cut its rate from 25 c/kWh on 1 August 2026). Yuno Energy (17.16 c/kWh) and PrePayPower (15.89 c/kWh) sit at the lower end, while EcoPower is the lowest at 15.2 c/kWh. Switching from the lowest standard rate (15.20 c/kWh) to the highest (19.50 c/kWh) is worth roughly €90 a year on a 4.4 kWp system exporting 2,000 kWh.
Compare electricity prices for your home
Rates verified 28 Oct 2026- €1,483year 1
- Unit rate
- 29.18 c
- Standing
- €251
Unit rate blended on your usage. - €1,542year 1
- Unit rate
- 31.30 c
- Standing
- €251
Unit rate blended on your usage.Standing charge is less €30 credit. - €1,547year 1
- Unit rate
- 30.06 c
- Standing
- €278
Unit rate blended on your usage. - Electricity Top Discount Smart (13% direct debit + 7% online + 10% plan)Day 33.81 / Night 20.56 / Peak 37.88 c/kWh€1,549year 1
- Unit rate
- 30.06 c
- Standing
- €280
Unit rate blended on your usage. - Smart Data and Discount (13% + 6% direct debit + 4% online billing)Day 33.41 / Night 22.83 / Peak 38.25 c/kWh€1,570year 1
- Unit rate
- 30.59 c
- Standing
- €278
Unit rate blended on your usage.
Year-one cost on each supplier's 24-hour plan and, with a smart meter, every verified day/night/peak and EV plan: band rate × your kWh in that band + standing charge + PSO levy, less any welcome credit and solar export income, with announced price rises weighted by the days you would spend on each rate. EV charging is placed in each plan's cheapest window and, if you tick it, the battery is charged from the grid overnight to displace peak-rate usage. See also the EV, heat pump and home battery tariff pages. Full method: how we calculate.
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 | 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. |
| 2 | Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | Variable rate, subject to change. Largest customer base in the country. |
| 3 | Pinergy | 18.50 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit | Reduced from 25 c/kWh to 18.5 c/kWh ex-VAT effective 1 August 2026, bringing it into line with the mid-market. Monthly bill credit. |
| 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 | 17.16 c/kWh | Twice yearly | 15.75 c ex-VAT, up 8% on 1 July 2026. Partnership rate of 31.32 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. Newer entrants move most often: see the Yuno Energy export rate and full price-plan breakdown for the latest example.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity (19.50 c/kWh) | €390 | +€86 |
| Electric Ireland (19.50 c/kWh) | €390 | +€86 |
| Pinergy (18.50 c/kWh) | €370 | +€66 |
| 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 (17.16 c/kWh) | €343 | +€39 |
| PrePayPower (15.89 c/kWh) | €318 | +€14 |
| EcoPower (15.20 c/kWh) | €304 | – |
Switching from the lowest-paying supplier (EcoPower, 15.20 c/kWh) to the highest (19.50 c/kWh) adds roughly €90 a year for the typical exporter. For high-export households (large systems with no battery), the gain can be about double that.
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.
Irish Electricity Price Changes 2026
Every announced change we have verified on the supplier's own site, newest first, with the date it takes effect. The rates on this page were last verified on 28 Oct 2026 and show the current price until each change lands.
- Yuno Energy
New-customer Variable Discount Plan repriced. The 24-hour urban rate went from 34.85c to 39.10c/kWh and the urban standing charge from €219.22 to €264.73; Variable Smart became 41.39c day, 26.08c night, 47.65c peak. Yuno's EV Standard Smart plan closed to new customers on 16 October, and Yuno's pricing page says a winter price freeze on electricity and gas runs from 13 October 2026 to 1 March 2027. source
- Energia
Electricity unit rates rose 4.73% and gas 9.38%. The standard 24-hour rate went to 43.50c/kWh and the urban standing charge from €265.01 to €278.27. With the combined new-customer discount now 26% (it was 30%), the 24-hour rate we track went from 29.85c to 32.19c/kWh. The EV Smart Drive charge-time rate rose to 12.25c/kWh after the 10% discount. source
- Bord Gáis Energy
Electricity unit rates up 9.1% and standing charges up 7.2% (typical bill +8.8%). Standard 24-hour rate 41.59c to 45.38c/kWh; urban standing charge €244.76 to €262.38. The new-customer discount is now 28% (it was 26%), so the 24-hour rate we track went from 30.78c to 32.67c/kWh. source
- SSE Airtricity
Electricity rose around 9%: the standard 24-hour rate went from 41.13c to 45.00c/kWh. Top Discount 24-hour rate 28.79c to 31.50c/kWh; urban standing charge €263.86 to €279.99. source
- All suppliers
CRU-approved 2026/27 network charges added about €41.25 a year (€3.44 a month) to a typical domestic electricity bill after the regulator trimmed network revenue allowances by €138 million. Every supplier passes these charges through. source
- All suppliers
PSO levy cut by 66% for the 2026/27 levy year, to €0.51 a month for domestic customers (€6.12 a year ex-VAT, €6.67 inc VAT, down from €19.10). It is charged by every supplier, so it lowered every bill by the same amount. source
- Pinergy
Pinergy said a typical bill would rise 7.6%. The 24-hour standard rate went from 41.77c to 45.80c/kWh (up 9.6% on the unit rate) with the standing charge unchanged. The pay-as-you-go plan we track is priced at 10% off that standard rate. source
- Pinergy
Clean Export Guarantee cut from 25c to 18.5c/kWh, and the EV night rate rose from 5.99c to 10.89c/kWh. source
- Flogas
Electricity and gas rates increased. The standard 24-hour rate is now 44.00c/kWh and Flogas lists no new-customer discount plan; the 28% loyalty discount is for existing customers only. source
- Electric Ireland
Residential electricity up 8% and gas up 7.7%, the first Electric Ireland rise since October 2022, affecting about 1.1 million electricity customers. The EnergySaver 24-hour new-customer rate we track is 31.95c/kWh after the change. source
Full details of each rise, with before-and-after rates, are on the electricity price increases page. The underlying market is tracked daily on the wholesale electricity prices page. Budget 2027 on 6 October contained no universal energy credit: see what support exists instead.
Tariff leaderboards
The same supplier data, ranked for a different question. Pick the one that matches how your home uses electricity.
Cheapest Electricity in Ireland
Every supplier's 24-hour new-customer plan ranked by annual bill.
Best Suppliers for Solar
Clean Export Guarantee rates ranked, with payment cadence and terms.
You are here
Best EV Tariffs
Night-rate EV plans ranked by unit rate, window and cost per 100 km.
Best Tariffs for Heat Pumps
Night-rate and flat plans costed at 8,000 kWh a year.
Best Tariffs for Home Batteries
Day-to-night spread ranked, plus what a 5 or 10 kWh battery earns.
Electricity Providers for Solar: Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the highest export rate in Ireland?
SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland currently pay the highest standard CEG rate at 19.50 c/kWh. Pinergy previously led at 25 c/kWh but cut its rate to 18.5 c/kWh on 1 August 2026. 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. Budget 2027 raises the threshold to €600 from 2027. 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: SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland on 19.50 c/kWh pay the highest standard rate we track. If you self-consume most of what you generate, prioritise the import (unit) rate instead, since CEG earnings will be modest.
Provider deep dives
This page ranks suppliers on export rate for solar owners. If you are choosing on price, service and contract terms instead, see our guide to the best electricity provider in Ireland and the cheapest electricity in Ireland price table.
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
Export (CEG) rates last verified: 4 November 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
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.
Get Solar Quotes Before You Switch
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