Bord Gáis Energy for Solar Panel Owners
Bord Gáis Energy pays solar exporters 18.50 c/kWh under its "Microgen Export Plan", credited quarterly to your bill after a three-month qualifying period. Here is what that rate is worth to a typical Irish solar household, how Bord Gáis compares to higher-paying suppliers like Pinergy, and how to switch on or off the Bord Gáis CEG without losing payments.
Last verified 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Bord Gáis Energy's Clean Export Guarantee rate is 18.50 c/kWh, inclusive of VAT, paid as a quarterly bill credit. For the typical 4.4 kWp Irish home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that's roughly €370 in annual export earnings. Pinergy (25 c/kWh), SSE Airtricity standard (19.5 c/kWh) and Electric Ireland (19.5 c/kWh) all currently pay more, but Bord Gáis remains competitive on import unit rates and bundles solar finance through its separate Bord Gáis Energy Solar service.
Bord Gáis Microgen Export Plan: The Rate
| CEG rate | 18.50 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Plan name | Bord Gáis Microgen Export Plan |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) |
| Smart meter required | Yes, for measured exports |
| Cap on exports paid | None published |
| First payment | After 3 months of registered export |
| Credited to | Your Bord Gáis electricity account |
Unlike Pinergy (monthly) or Energia (bi-monthly), Bord Gáis issues its CEG payment as a quarterly bill credit. The cash offsets your import bill rather than landing in your bank account. For most households this is functionally identical, but if you are a low-import / high-export household you may end up in permanent credit.
What Bord Gáis CEG Is Worth to You
Annual export earnings on Bord Gáis depend almost entirely on how much you export, which depends on your system size and self-consumption habits.
| System size | Typical annual export | Bord Gáis (18.50 c/kWh) | Pinergy (25.0 c/kWh) | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €222 | €300 | +€78 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €296 | €400 | +€104 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €370 | €500 | +€130 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €444 | €600 | +€156 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €259 | €350 | +€91 |
The pure rate gap to Pinergy is real but modest, €130 per year on a typical 4.4 kWp system. Decide on the basis of total bill (import + export combined), not export rate alone.
How the Bord Gáis Microgen Plan Works
- Your installer notifies ESB Networks (NC6 form). This registers your inverter as a microgenerator. Bord Gáis cannot pay CEG until ESBN approves this.
- You upload the NC6 confirmation to Bord Gáis. Via the Bord Gáis app, account portal, or by emailing customer service. Include MPRN and IBAN.
- Smart meter records imports and exports. Half-hourly readings flow to Bord Gáis automatically. No manual readings needed.
- First quarterly bill includes CEG credit. The credit appears on the bill three months after your microgen registration date.
- Subsequent quarters credit automatically. No further action required unless you change supplier or move house.
Switching to or from Bord Gáis
Switching to Bord Gáis
- Sign up via bordgaisenergy.ie or by phone
- Switch completes in 2–14 days
- Re-register your microgenerator with Bord Gáis (NC6 + MPRN)
- First CEG credit lands at the next quarterly bill
- Existing exports during the switch are paid by your old supplier
Switching away from Bord Gáis
- No early-exit fee on standard microgen tariffs
- Final bill clears any outstanding CEG credit
- Re-register with the new supplier. CEG isn't portable
- Best time: end of your billing quarter to capture all earnings
Bord Gáis vs Other Suppliers for Solar
| Supplier | CEG Rate | Payment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | Bord Gáis vs Electric Ireland |
| Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit | Bord Gáis vs Energia |
| Flogas | 18.50 c/kWh | Every 2 months | Bord Gáis vs Flogas |
| SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit | Bord Gáis vs SSE Airtricity |
| Yuno Energy | 15.89 c/kWh | Twice yearly | Bord Gáis vs Yuno Energy |
See the full ranking on our CEG rate comparison page.
Bord Gáis as a Solar Installer
Separate from electricity supply, Bord Gáis Energy also sells solar panel installations under the "Bord Gáis Energy Solar" brand. The two products are independent. You don't need to be a Bord Gáis electricity customer to use Bord Gáis Solar, and you don't need Bord Gáis Solar to claim the Bord Gáis CEG.
For independent SEAI-registered installers in your area, see local solar installers on Solar Info Ireland.
Bord Gáis Microgen FAQ
What is the Bord Gáis CEG rate in 2026?
Bord Gáis Energy pays 18.50 c/kWh (inclusive of VAT) under its Microgen Export Plan, credited quarterly to your bill.
When does Bord Gáis pay CEG?
Quarterly, as a credit on your electricity bill. The first credit appears on the bill issued three months after your microgen registration is approved.
Is Bord Gáis CEG paid in cash or as a bill credit?
As a bill credit. If your accumulated CEG exceeds your bill, the surplus rolls forward to the next bill. You can request a cash payout if you build up a large credit.
Can I be on Bord Gáis for solar export but a different supplier for electricity?
No. Your CEG payment must come from the same supplier that supplies your electricity. Switching one switches both.
Does Bord Gáis cap how many kWh of export it pays for?
Bord Gáis does not publish an export cap on the standard residential Microgen Export Plan. Larger commercial systems may need a separate microgen agreement.
Who pays more for solar export, Bord Gáis or Electric Ireland?
Electric Ireland pays 19.5 c/kWh vs Bord Gáis at 18.5 c/kWh, a 1 c/kWh advantage for Electric Ireland. On 2,000 kWh of annual exports that's €20/year, which is rarely enough to drive a switch by itself; check import rates and standing charges before deciding.
Does Bord Gáis pay the higher rate to its own solar customers?
No. Unlike SSE Airtricity (which has a premium installer-channel rate) and Yuno (which has a PV Generation partnership rate), Bord Gáis pays the same standard CEG rate regardless of who installed your panels.
Is the Bord Gáis 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.
Sources
- Bord Gáis Energy, Microgeneration page, bordgaisenergy.ie/home/microgeneration
- CRU, Microgeneration consumer information, 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.
Get a Solar Quote
Switching CEG provider is worth €100 to €300 a year. Adding panels in the first place is worth €1,500 to €2,000. Compare quotes from local SEAI-registered installers below.