Pinergy vs SSE Airtricity for Solar Panels: Which Pays More?
Both Pinergy and SSE Airtricity pay solar households for the electricity they export to the grid under the Clean Export Guarantee scheme, but the rates, payment cadences and conditions differ. Here is a side-by-side comparison from a solar owner's perspective: who pays more, who pays faster, and which suits which household.
Last verified 6 May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Pinergy pays the higher CEG rate at 25.0 c/kWh versus SSE Airtricity at 19.50 c/kWh. For a typical 4.4 kWp Irish solar home exporting 2,000 kWh/year, the difference is €110 per year. The cheaper rate isn't always the wrong call though, import unit rates, standing charges and contract terms can offset a small CEG gap. Always compare the total annual bill rather than the export rate alone.
Pinergy vs SSE Airtricity at a Glance
| Feature | Pinergy | SSE Airtricity |
|---|---|---|
| CEG export rate | 25.0 c/kWh | 19.50 c/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Monthly bill credit | Quarterly bill credit |
| Cap on paid exports | None published | None on standard rate; premium tier installer-only |
| Smart meter required | Yes | Yes |
| Customer base | ~80,000 | ~750,000 |
| Parent company | Pinergy (Irish-owned, founded 2013) | SSE plc (UK) |
| Annual CEG earnings (4.4 kWp, 2,000 kWh export) | €500 | €390 |
CEG Rate: Pinergy vs SSE Airtricity
SSE Airtricity
19.50 c/kWh
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.
Read full SSE Airtricity review →On rate alone, Pinergy wins by 5.50 c/kWh. On a typical 4.4 kWp system exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that adds up to €110 per year in additional export earnings.
Earnings by System Size
| System | Annual export | Pinergy | SSE Airtricity | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €300 | €234 | €66 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €400 | €312 | €88 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €500 | €390 | €110 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €600 | €468 | €132 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €350 | €273 | €77 |
Verdict: Pinergy or SSE Airtricity?
Pinergy wins on rate at 25.0 c/kWh versus SSE Airtricity at 19.50 c/kWh, a 5.50 c/kWh gap worth roughly €110 per year on a typical 4.4 kWp Irish system exporting 2,000 kWh. That gap is significant enough to be worth switching for, assuming import unit rates are broadly comparable.
Whichever you pick, also consider the import unit rate, standing charge, and any sign-up bonuses, CEG income is rarely the deciding factor on its own. See our full CEG rate comparison for all eleven Irish suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Pinergy or SSE Airtricity?
Pinergy pays 25.0 c/kWh versus SSE Airtricity at 19.50 c/kWh. The difference is 5.50 c/kWh, worth roughly €110 per year on a typical 4.4 kWp Irish home system.
How often does Pinergy pay CEG?
Pinergy pays CEG monthly bill credit.
How often does SSE Airtricity pay CEG?
SSE Airtricity pays CEG quarterly bill credit.
Can I switch suppliers without losing CEG payments?
Yes. Switching takes 2–14 days and you don't lose power. Outstanding CEG with your old supplier clears on your final bill; you re-register the microgenerator with your new supplier and CEG resumes from the next bill.
Does either supplier cap how much export it pays for?
Pinergy: None published. SSE Airtricity: None on standard rate; premium tier installer-only.
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.
Compare other suppliers
Sources
- Pinergy , pinergy.ie
- SSE Airtricity , sseairtricity.com
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
Pinergy and SSE Airtricity are two of eleven Irish suppliers offering a Clean Export Guarantee tariff. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.