Electric Ireland for Solar Panel Owners
Electric Ireland pays 19.5 c/kWh under the Clean Export Guarantee, credited per billing cycle. That's tied with SSE Airtricity's standard rate but ahead of Bord Gáis, Energia and Flogas. Electric Ireland is the largest supplier in the country (~1.1m customers), which translates to predictable billing and an established sign-up flow for microgen, but at 19.5 c/kWh you're leaving roughly €110 a year on the table versus Pinergy on a typical 4.4 kWp system.
Last verified 12 September 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Electric Ireland pays 19.50 c/kWh for exported solar electricity under the Clean Export Guarantee, per billing cycle. Variable rate, subject to change. Largest customer base in the country. For a typical 4.4 kWp Irish home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that's about €390 in annual export earnings.
Electric Ireland Microgen / CEG Plan
| CEG rate | 19.50 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Payment frequency | Per billing cycle |
| Smart meter required | Yes, for measured exports |
| Cap on exports paid | None published |
| Contract terms | Standard supply contract; 30 days notice on changes |
| Parent company | ESB (state-owned) |
Variable rate, subject to change. Largest customer base in the country.
Electric Ireland Rates & Prices for Solar Homes
Your solar export earnings only tell half the story. What you pay to import electricity at night and on dull days matters just as much. Here is what Electric Ireland charges a new customer on a standard 24-hour urban meter, alongside an estimated annual bill at typical usage (4,200 kWh).
| Import unit rate | 31.95 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Plan | EnergySaver 24h Discount (16% off, €60 welcome credit) |
| Standing charge | €250.77/year |
| Est. annual bill | €1593 at 4,200 kWh/yr |
New-customer discounted rate, standard 24-hour urban meter, inc 9% VAT. Import rates verified 12 September 2026.
Electric Ireland 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 12 Sep 2026 and show the current price until each change lands.
- All suppliers
CRU-approved 2026/27 network charges add 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 lowers every bill by the same amount. 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. No universal energy credit is planned for Budget 2027 on 6 October: see what support exists instead.
What Electric Ireland CEG Is Worth to You
Annual export earnings depend on system size and how much of your generation you self-consume.
| System size | Typical annual export | Electric Ireland earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €234 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €312 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €390 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €468 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €273 |
How CEG Payments Work with Electric Ireland
- Your installer notifies ESB Networks (NC6 form) to register your inverter as a microgenerator. Electric Ireland cannot pay CEG until ESBN approves this.
- You register with Electric Ireland via their app, account portal or customer service, including MPRN, NC6 confirmation and IBAN.
- Your smart meter records imports and exports half-hourly, with readings flowing to Electric Ireland automatically.
- CEG payment lands per billing cycle as a bill credit (or cash payout where supported).
- Subsequent payments are automatic unless you change supplier or move house.
Switching to or from Electric Ireland
Switching to Electric Ireland
- Sign up online or by phone, switch completes in 2–14 days
- Re-register your microgenerator (NC6 + MPRN)
- First CEG credit lands at the next billing cycle
- Existing exports during the switch are paid by your old supplier
Switching away from Electric Ireland
- Check for early-exit fees on your tariff (most CEG plans don't charge)
- Final bill clears any outstanding CEG credit
- CEG isn't portable, re-register with new supplier
- Best time: end of your billing period to capture all earnings
Electric Ireland vs Other Suppliers for Solar
| Supplier | CEG Rate | Payment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) | Electric Ireland vs Bord Gáis Energy |
| SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit | Electric Ireland vs SSE Airtricity |
| Pinergy | 18.50 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit | Electric Ireland vs Pinergy |
| Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit | Electric Ireland vs Energia |
See the full ranking on our CEG rate comparison page, or compare on price and service in our guide to the best electricity provider in Ireland.
Electric Ireland help & account
Already an Electric Ireland customer? These guides cover the common account tasks, then show you how much you could save by switching or adding solar.
Electric Ireland Review: Is It Good for Solar?
Electric Ireland is the state-owned incumbent with the country's largest customer base, so its microgeneration scheme is the default many solar owners never switch away from. The 19.5 c/kWh rate is competitive, but it is a variable rate that can change, so it is worth re-checking against the market each year.
Electric Ireland ranks 2nd of 9 on export rate. Whether it suits you depends on your full bill, not just the export rate, so we weigh import prices, standing charge, payment speed and any restrictions below.
Pros
- Pays 19.50 c/kWh for exported solar, one of the higher CEG rates on the Irish market (ranked 2nd of 9).
- Import unit rate of 31.95 c/kWh is competitive for everyday usage.
- No published cap on the volume of exports paid for.
Cons
Bottom line: Electric Ireland is a solid choice for solar exporters, particularly if its import rates suit your usage. Always compare against the current market leaders before switching.
Electric Ireland Microgen FAQ
What is the Electric Ireland CEG rate in 2026?
Electric Ireland pays 19.50 c/kWh (inclusive of VAT) for exported solar electricity, per billing cycle.
When does Electric Ireland pay CEG?
Electric Ireland pays CEG per billing cycle as a bill credit on your electricity account.
Can I switch to Electric Ireland as a solar owner?
Yes. Every Irish supplier is required by law to offer a CEG tariff. Switching takes 2–14 days and you don't lose power. You re-register your microgenerator with Electric Ireland and CEG payments resume from the next billing cycle.
Does Electric Ireland cap how many kWh of export it pays for?
Electric Ireland: None published.
What are Electric Ireland's electricity rates and price per kWh?
Electric Ireland's standard residential price is 31.95 c/kWh per unit (inc VAT) on a new-customer 24-hour urban plan, plus a standing charge of €250.77/year. At typical usage of 4,200 kWh a year that works out to an estimated €1593 bill before any solar self-consumption or export credit. Discounted new-customer rates change often, so confirm the live price with Electric Ireland before switching.
Who owns Electric Ireland?
Electric Ireland is part of ESB (state-owned).
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.
Is Electric Ireland the best supplier for solar?
Electric Ireland's CEG rate of 19.50 c/kWh ranks 2nd of 9 in the Irish market. The 'best' supplier depends on your overall bill, not just export rate, compare import unit rates, standing charges and any sign-up bonuses on our hub page.
Sources
- Electric Ireland , electricireland.ie
- CRU, Microgeneration consumer information , cru.ie
Last verified: 12 September 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.
Compare All CEG Rates
Switching to the highest-paying supplier is worth €100–€300 a year on a typical 4.4 kWp system. See how every Irish supplier ranks on our full Clean Export Guarantee comparison.