SSE Airtricity vs Yuno Energy for Solar Panels: Which Pays More?
Both SSE Airtricity and Yuno Energy 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
SSE Airtricity pays the higher CEG rate at 19.50 c/kWh versus Yuno Energy at 15.89 c/kWh. For a typical 4.4 kWp Irish solar home exporting 2,000 kWh/year, the difference is €72 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.
SSE Airtricity vs Yuno Energy at a Glance
| Feature | SSE Airtricity | Yuno Energy |
|---|---|---|
| CEG export rate | 19.50 c/kWh | 15.89 c/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly bill credit | Twice yearly |
| Cap on paid exports | None on standard rate; premium tier installer-only | Partnership rate restricted to PV Generation |
| Smart meter required | Yes | Yes |
| Customer base | ~750,000 | Newer entrant |
| Parent company | SSE plc (UK) | PrePayPower / Yuno Energy |
| Annual CEG earnings (4.4 kWp, 2,000 kWh export) | €390 | €318 |
CEG Rate: SSE Airtricity vs Yuno Energy
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 →Yuno Energy
15.89 c/kWh
14.58 c ex-VAT. Partnership rate of 29 c/kWh for PV Generation installer customers only.
Read full Yuno Energy review →On rate alone, SSE Airtricity wins by 3.61 c/kWh. On a typical 4.4 kWp system exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that adds up to €72 per year in additional export earnings.
Earnings by System Size
| System | Annual export | SSE Airtricity | Yuno Energy | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 kWp (6 panels) | 1,200 kWh | €234 | €191 | €43 |
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | €312 | €254 | €58 |
| 4.4 kWp (10 panels) | 2,000 kWh | €390 | €318 | €72 |
| 5.3 kWp (12 panels) | 2,400 kWh | €468 | €381 | €87 |
| 5.3 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | €273 | €222 | €51 |
Verdict: SSE Airtricity or Yuno Energy?
SSE Airtricity wins on rate at 19.50 c/kWh versus Yuno Energy at 15.89 c/kWh, a 3.61 c/kWh gap worth roughly €72 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, SSE Airtricity or Yuno Energy?
SSE Airtricity pays 19.50 c/kWh versus Yuno Energy at 15.89 c/kWh. The difference is 3.61 c/kWh, worth roughly €72 per year on a typical 4.4 kWp Irish home system.
How often does SSE Airtricity pay CEG?
SSE Airtricity pays CEG quarterly bill credit.
How often does Yuno Energy pay CEG?
Yuno Energy pays CEG twice yearly.
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?
SSE Airtricity: None on standard rate; premium tier installer-only. Yuno Energy: Partnership rate restricted to PV Generation.
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
- SSE Airtricity , sseairtricity.com
- Yuno Energy , yunoenergy.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
SSE Airtricity and Yuno Energy are two of eleven Irish suppliers offering a Clean Export Guarantee tariff. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.