Pinergy for Solar Panel Owners
Pinergy pays 25 c/kWh under the Clean Export Guarantee, credited monthly to your bill, currently the highest published standard rate in Ireland. The trade-off: Pinergy is a smaller supplier (~80,000 customers) and the published rate can change with 30 days notice, so the headline number is not a long-term commitment. Solar owners focused on maximising export earnings still come out ahead, but check the live rate before switching.
Last verified 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Pinergy pays 25.0 c/kWh for exported solar electricity under the Clean Export Guarantee, monthly bill credit. Highest published standard CEG rate in Ireland. For a typical 4.4 kWp Irish home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that's about €500 in annual export earnings.
Pinergy Microgen / CEG Plan
| CEG rate | 25.0 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Payment frequency | Monthly bill credit |
| Smart meter required | Yes, for measured exports |
| Cap on exports paid | None published |
| Contract terms | 30 days notice on rate changes |
| Parent company | Pinergy (Irish-owned, founded 2013) |
Highest published standard CEG rate in Ireland.
Pinergy 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 Pinergy 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 | 46.62 c/kWh (inc VAT) |
| Standing charge | €260.06/year |
| Est. annual bill | €2218 at 4,200 kWh/yr |
New-customer discounted rate, standard 24-hour urban meter, inc 9% VAT. Import rates verified 13 May 2026.
What Pinergy 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 | Pinergy earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €300 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €400 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €500 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €600 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €350 |
How CEG Payments Work with Pinergy
- Your installer notifies ESB Networks (NC6 form) to register your inverter as a microgenerator. Pinergy cannot pay CEG until ESBN approves this.
- You register with Pinergy 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 Pinergy automatically.
- CEG payment lands 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 Pinergy
Switching to Pinergy
- 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 Pinergy
- 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
Pinergy vs Other Suppliers for Solar
| Supplier | CEG Rate | Payment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | Pinergy vs Electric Ireland |
| Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) | Pinergy vs Bord Gáis Energy |
| SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit | Pinergy vs SSE Airtricity |
| Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit | Pinergy vs Energia |
See the full ranking on our CEG rate comparison page.
Pinergy Review: Is It Good for Solar?
Pinergy built its brand around solar and smart-meter tariffs, and its monthly CEG credit is the most generous and fastest-paying setup we track. The trade-off is one of the steeper import unit rates, so the headline export rate suits high-export, low-import households best.
Pinergy ranks 1st 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 25.0 c/kWh for exported solar, one of the higher CEG rates on the Irish market (ranked 1st of 9).
- Pays export credit monthly, the fastest cadence available.
- No published cap on the volume of exports paid for.
Cons
- Import unit rate of 46.62 c/kWh is among the most expensive we track, eroding the value of any export earnings.
Bottom line: Pinergy is a solid choice for solar exporters, particularly if its import rates suit your usage. Always compare against the current market leaders before switching.
Pinergy Microgen FAQ
What is the Pinergy CEG rate in 2026?
Pinergy pays 25.0 c/kWh (inclusive of VAT) for exported solar electricity, monthly bill credit.
When does Pinergy pay CEG?
Pinergy pays CEG monthly bill credit as a bill credit on your electricity account.
Can I switch to Pinergy 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 Pinergy and CEG payments resume from the next billing cycle.
Does Pinergy cap how many kWh of export it pays for?
Pinergy: None published.
What are Pinergy's electricity rates and price per kWh?
Pinergy's standard residential price is 46.62 c/kWh per unit (inc VAT) on a new-customer 24-hour urban plan, plus a standing charge of €260.06/year. At typical usage of 4,200 kWh a year that works out to an estimated €2218 bill before any solar self-consumption or export credit. Discounted new-customer rates change often, so confirm the live price with Pinergy before switching.
Who owns Pinergy?
Pinergy is part of Pinergy (Irish-owned, founded 2013).
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 Pinergy the best supplier for solar?
Pinergy's CEG rate of 25.0 c/kWh ranks 1st 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
- Pinergy , pinergy.ie
- 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.
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.