Energia for Solar Panel Owners
Energia pays 18.5 c/kWh under its microgeneration scheme, the same rate as Bord Gáis and Flogas, but with two distinguishing features: explicitly 'unlimited exports' (no volume cap) and a bi-monthly payment cadence rather than quarterly. For larger solar systems with high export volumes, the unlimited-cap policy matters.
Last verified 12 September 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Energia pays 18.50 c/kWh for exported solar electricity under the Clean Export Guarantee, bi-monthly bill credit. Unlimited exports, no cap on volume paid for. Bi-monthly bill credit. For a typical 4.4 kWp Irish home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that's about €370 in annual export earnings.
Energia Microgen / CEG Plan
| CEG rate | 18.50 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Payment frequency | Bi-monthly bill credit |
| Smart meter required | Yes, for measured exports |
| Cap on exports paid | None, unlimited exports paid |
| Contract terms | Standard supply contract |
| Parent company | Energia Group (PE-backed, Irish HQ) |
Unlimited exports, no cap on volume paid for. Bi-monthly bill credit.
Energia 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 Energia 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 | 29.85 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Plan | Electricity 24 Hour Discount (30% off) |
| Announced change | Rises to 30.45 c/kWh, €278.27/yr standing from 12 Oct 2026 (Energia price rise of up to 9.4%: 43.50c standard less 30%) |
| Standing charge | €265.01/year |
| Est. annual bill | €1519 at 4,200 kWh/yr |
New-customer discounted rate, standard 24-hour urban meter, inc 9% VAT. Import rates verified 12 September 2026.
Energia 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.
- Energia
Electricity and gas prices rise by up to 9.4%. The new-customer 24-hour rate we track goes from 29.85c to 30.45c/kWh and the urban standing charge from €265.01 to €278.27. source
- 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
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 Energia 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 | Energia earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €222 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €296 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €370 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €444 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €259 |
How CEG Payments Work with Energia
- Your installer notifies ESB Networks (NC6 form) to register your inverter as a microgenerator. Energia cannot pay CEG until ESBN approves this.
- You register with Energia 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 Energia automatically.
- CEG payment lands bi-monthly bill credit as a bill credit (or cash payout where supported).
- Subsequent payments are automatic unless you change supplier or move house.
Switching to or from Energia
Switching to Energia
- 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 Energia
- 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
Energia vs Other Suppliers for Solar
| Supplier | CEG Rate | Payment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) | Energia vs Bord Gáis Energy |
| Flogas | 18.50 c/kWh | Every 2 months | Energia vs Flogas |
| Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | Energia vs Electric Ireland |
| Pinergy | 18.50 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit | Energia vs Pinergy |
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.
Energia Review: Is It Good for Solar?
Energia's stand-out for solar owners is that it pays for unlimited exports with no published volume cap, credited bi-monthly. That makes it a strong fit for larger arrays that export heavily in summer, even though the headline 18.5 c/kWh rate sits mid-table.
Energia ranks 5th 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
- Mid-table CEG rate of 18.50 c/kWh (ranked 5th of 9), competitive without leading the market.
- Import unit rate of 29.85 c/kWh is competitive for everyday usage.
- Pays export credit monthly, the fastest cadence available.
- No published cap on the volume of exports paid for.
Cons
Bottom line: Energia is a solid choice for solar exporters, particularly if its import rates suit your usage. Always compare against the current market leaders before switching.
Energia Microgen FAQ
What is the Energia CEG rate in 2026?
Energia pays 18.50 c/kWh (inclusive of VAT) for exported solar electricity, bi-monthly bill credit.
When does Energia pay CEG?
Energia pays CEG bi-monthly bill credit as a bill credit on your electricity account.
Can I switch to Energia 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 Energia and CEG payments resume from the next billing cycle.
Does Energia cap how many kWh of export it pays for?
Energia: None, unlimited exports paid.
What are Energia's electricity rates and price per kWh?
Energia's standard residential price is 29.85 c/kWh per unit (inc VAT) on a new-customer 24-hour urban plan, plus a standing charge of €265.01/year. At typical usage of 4,200 kWh a year that works out to an estimated €1519 bill before any solar self-consumption or export credit. Discounted new-customer rates change often, so confirm the live price with Energia before switching.
Who owns Energia?
Energia is part of Energia Group (PE-backed, Irish HQ).
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 Energia the best supplier for solar?
Energia's CEG rate of 18.50 c/kWh ranks 5th 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
- Energia , energia.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.