Best Electricity Tariffs for Home Batteries in Ireland 2026
A home battery turns your electricity tariff into a trade. Buy cheap in the night window, use it during the day and the evening peak, and pocket the difference on every cycle. That makes the gap between the day rate and the night rate, not the headline rate on either side, the number that matters.
Bord Gáis Energy currently has the widest spread at about 21.80c/kWh, with a night rate of 8.98c/kWh from 2am–5am. Night rates were verified on 23 August 2026 and day rates on 12 Sep 2026.
Last updated September 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
The best electricity tariff for a home battery in Ireland is the one with the widest day-to-night spread. Bord Gáis Energy leads at about 21.80c/kWh (night rate 8.98c/kWh, 2am–5am), followed by Electric Ireland at about 21.07c/kWh. After 13% round-trip losses, a 5 kWh battery cycled once a day earns roughly €285 a year on the best spread and a 10 kWh battery roughly €570, before any solar savings. All of these plans need a smart meter.
The arbitrage maths: charge at night, discharge by day
Every kWh you put into the battery in the night window costs the night rate. Every kWh you take out later displaces a kWh you would otherwise have bought at the day rate. The battery loses some energy in the round trip, typically 10 to 13% on a modern lithium iron phosphate unit, so the real spread per kWh is a little less than the headline gap.
Net spread per kWh = (day rate × round-trip efficiency) − night rate
Annual earnings = usable kWh × cycles per year × net spread
Example on Bord Gáis Energy: (30.78 c/kWh × 0.87) − 8.98c = 17.80c net per kWh. A 10 kWh battery cycled once a day for 320 days earns 10 × 320 × 17.80c = about €570 a year.
Three things limit this in practice. The window has to be long enough to fill the battery at its charge rate. You have to use the stored energy during the day or peak rather than exporting it back at the lower Clean Export Guarantee rate. And every cycle wears the battery a little, so the earnings need to be weighed against the cost of the unit; our home battery storage guide covers prices, sizing and payback.
Night-rate tariffs ranked by day-to-night spread
Ranked by the gap between the day rate and the night rate. We do not track a separate day rate for each smart plan, so the day column uses the same supplier’s flat 24-hour new-customer rate; smart plans typically charge more than that during the day and peak, which would widen the spread further. The net column applies the 87% round-trip efficiency.
| # | Supplier | Night Rate | Night Window | Day Rate (24h plan) | Spread | Net Spread (after losses) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PinergyEV Night Time (closed to new customers) | 10.89c/kWh | 2am–5am (3h) | 37.59 c/kWh | 26.70c/kWh | 21.81c/kWh |
| 2 | Bord Gáis EnergyEV plan (Urban EV unit rate) | 8.98c/kWh | 2am–5am (3h) | 30.78 c/kWh | 21.80c/kWh | 17.80c/kWh |
| 3 | Electric IrelandHome Electric+ Night Boost | 10.88c/kWh | 2am–4am (2h) | 31.95 c/kWh | 21.07c/kWh | 16.92c/kWh |
| 4 | EnergiaEV Smart Drive | 9.42c/kWh | 2am–6am (4h) | 29.85 c/kWh | 20.43c/kWh | 16.55c/kWh |
| 5 | SSE AirtricityEV tariff | 12.13c/kWh | 11pm–5am (6h) | 28.79 c/kWh | 16.66c/kWh | 12.92c/kWh |
Night rates include VAT and were verified on 23 August 2026; day rates on 12 Sep 2026. Plans marked closed are no longer sold to new customers and are excluded from the best and median figures below. Suppliers change prices several times a year, so confirm before switching.
What a 5 kWh or 10 kWh battery earns a year
Assumptions: one full cycle a day, 87% round-trip efficiency, 320 usable days a year (the rest are summer days when solar fills the battery instead), and every stored kWh displaces a kWh bought at the day rate. Best spread is Bord Gáis Energy at 17.80c/kWh net; the median across the open plans is 16.73c/kWh net.
| Battery (usable) | kWh Cycled per Year | Best Spread (Bord Gáis Energy) | Median Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | 1,600 kWh | €285/year | €268/year |
| 10 kWh | 3,200 kWh | €570/year | €535/year |
| Supplier | Net Spread | 5 kWh per Year | 10 kWh per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bord Gáis Energy | 17.80c/kWh | €285 | €570 |
| Electric Ireland | 16.92c/kWh | €271 | €541 |
| Energia | 16.55c/kWh | €265 | €530 |
| SSE Airtricity | 12.92c/kWh | €207 | €413 |
Estimates only. Real earnings are lower if the battery is not fully cycled every day, if some stored energy is exported rather than used, or if the plan carries a higher standing charge than the supplier’s standard tariff. They are higher if the smart plan’s actual day or peak rate is above the flat 24-hour rate used here. Battery prices and models are on our solar battery brands page.
Export rates for solar-plus-battery homes
If you have solar as well as a battery, the Clean Export Guarantee rate still matters for the summer surplus the battery cannot absorb. Every rate below is well under the day rates in the table above, which is the whole reason to store solar rather than export it. Ranked highest export rate first; suppliers with a night-rate plan we track are marked.
| Supplier | CEG Export Rate | Paid | Night-Rate Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity | 19.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit | 12.13c/kWh 11pm–5am |
| Electric Ireland | 19.50 c/kWh | Per billing cycle | 10.88c/kWh 2am–4am |
| Pinergy | 18.50 c/kWh | Monthly bill credit | 10.89c/kWh 2am–5am (closed) |
| Bord Gáis Energy | 18.50 c/kWh | Quarterly bill credit (after 3-month wait) | 8.98c/kWh 2am–5am |
| Energia | 18.50 c/kWh | Bi-monthly bill credit | 9.42c/kWh 2am–6am |
| Flogas | 18.50 c/kWh | Every 2 months | None tracked |
| Yuno Energy | 17.16 c/kWh | Twice yearly | None tracked |
| PrePayPower | 15.89 c/kWh | Twice yearly | None tracked |
| EcoPower | 15.20 c/kWh | Quarterly | None tracked |
Export rates verified 12 Sep 2026. The full comparison with payment cadence and contract terms is on our best electricity providers for solar page, and the scheme itself is explained in our microgeneration guide.
Dynamic tariffs: the next step for battery owners
A dynamic tariff replaces fixed day and night rates with a price that changes every half hour, tracking the wholesale market. On windy nights the price can drop very low; on still, cold evenings it can spike. A battery with a controller that reads the day-ahead prices can charge in the cheapest slots and discharge in the dearest, which is arbitrage with a wider and more variable spread than any fixed night rate.
Electric Ireland launched the first dynamic tariff in Ireland. Because the price changes daily we do not print a dynamic rate here; if you are considering one, compare it against the fixed spreads above over a full winter rather than a single cheap week, and make sure your inverter or battery app can actually schedule to the half-hourly prices.
Irish Electricity 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
- Bord Gáis Energy
Electricity rises around 9% (typical bill +8.8%). New-customer 24-hour rate 30.78c to 33.58c/kWh; urban standing charge €244.76 to €262.38. source
- SSE Airtricity
Electricity rises around 9%. Top Discount 24-hour rate 28.79c to 31.50c/kWh; urban standing charge €263.86 to €280.01. 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
- Pinergy
Pinergy says a typical bill rises 7.6%. The 24-hour standard rate goes from 41.77c to 45.80c/kWh (up 9.6% on the unit rate) with the standing charge unchanged. The pay-as-you-go plan we track is priced at 10% off that standard rate. source
- Pinergy
Clean Export Guarantee cut from 25c to 18.5c/kWh, and the EV night rate rose from 5.99c to 10.89c/kWh. source
- Flogas
Electricity and gas rates increased. The standard 24-hour rate is now 44.00c/kWh and Flogas lists no new-customer discount plan; the 28% loyalty discount is for existing customers only. 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
- Yuno Energy
Electricity up 9.5% and gas up 11%. The Clean Export Guarantee rate rose from 15.89c to 17.16c/kWh (31.32c on the PV Generation partnership tier). 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.
Tariff leaderboards
The same supplier data, ranked for a different question. Pick the one that matches how your home uses electricity.
Cheapest Electricity in Ireland
Every supplier's 24-hour new-customer plan ranked by annual bill.
Best Suppliers for Solar
Clean Export Guarantee rates ranked, with payment cadence and terms.
Best EV Tariffs
Night-rate EV plans ranked by unit rate, window and cost per 100 km.
Best Tariffs for Heat Pumps
Night-rate and flat plans costed at 8,000 kWh a year.
Best Tariffs for Home Batteries
Day-to-night spread ranked, plus what a 5 or 10 kWh battery earns.
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Home battery electricity tariff FAQ
What is the best electricity tariff for a home battery in Ireland?
The one with the widest gap between its day rate and its night rate, because that gap is what the battery earns on every cycle. On the plans we track, Bord Gáis Energy has the widest spread at about 21.80c/kWh (night rate 8.98c/kWh from 2am–5am). Electric Ireland is next at about 21.07c/kWh with a 2-hour window.
How much can a home battery earn from night-rate charging?
Charging one kWh at the night rate and discharging it at the day rate earns the spread minus round-trip losses. At the best net spread we track (17.80c/kWh after 13% losses), a 5 kWh battery cycled once a day for 320 days earns about €285 a year and a 10 kWh battery about €570. At the median spread it is €268 and €535. That is on top of anything the battery saves by storing your own solar.
Is the night window long enough to fill a battery?
Usually yes for a home battery. A 5 kWh battery charging at 2.5 kW needs about two hours; a 10 kWh battery at 3 to 5 kW needs two to four hours. The shortest window we track is two hours (Electric Ireland Night Boost), which is tight for a large battery, while SSE Airtricity's six-hour window fits anything. If you also charge an EV in the same window, add the two loads together before choosing.
Should I take the highest export rate or the cheapest night rate?
For a solar-plus-battery home the night rate usually wins, because you cycle the battery every day of the year but only export surplus in the sunnier months. The current Clean Export Guarantee rates sit in a narrow band from 15.20 c/kWh to 19.50 c/kWh, while night rates run from 8.98c/kWh to 12.13c/kWh against day rates near 30c. The spread is where the money is.
What is a dynamic electricity tariff and should I use one with a battery?
A dynamic tariff tracks the wholesale market, with a different price every half hour instead of a fixed day and night rate. Electric Ireland launched the first dynamic tariff in Ireland, and a battery with a compatible controller can charge in the cheapest slots and discharge in the dearest, which can beat a fixed night rate. Prices change daily, so we do not print a dynamic rate here; the plans in our table are fixed time-of-use tariffs you can compare directly.
Do I need a smart meter for a battery tariff?
Yes. Every night-rate or time-of-use plan needs a smart meter so the supplier can bill the cheap window separately using half-hourly readings. ESB Networks installs them free of charge. You also need a battery or hybrid inverter that can be scheduled to charge from the grid in the window, which most current models can.
Sources
- Bord Gáis Energy: EV plan (Urban EV unit rate)
- Energia: EV Smart Drive
- Electric Ireland: Home Electric+ Night Boost
- Pinergy: EV Night Time (closed to new customers)
- SSE Airtricity: EV tariff
- Pinergy: Clean Export Guarantee and Summer PAYG Plan 24h (10% discount, €110 welcome credit)
- SSE Airtricity: Clean Export Guarantee and Electricity Top Discount 24h (30% off)
- Electric Ireland: Clean Export Guarantee and EnergySaver 24h Discount (16% off, €60 welcome credit)
- Bord Gáis Energy: Clean Export Guarantee and New Customer Electricity Discount (26% off)
- Energia: Clean Export Guarantee and Electricity 24 Hour Discount (30% off)
- Flogas: Clean Export Guarantee and Standard Variable Electricity 24h (no new-customer discount listed)
- Yuno Energy: Clean Export Guarantee and Variable Discount Plan 24h (€50 welcome bonus)
- PrePayPower: Clean Export Guarantee and Classic Pay Standard 24h (€100 welcome credit)
- EcoPower: Clean Export Guarantee and 24 Hour Meter Domestic Discount (10% off)
- Community Power: Clean Export Guarantee and Standard Variable Rate 24h
Night rates verified 23 August 2026; day and export rates verified 12 Sep 2026. All rates include VAT.
Related Guides
Battery Storage
Solar battery costs, sizing, popular models, and payback analysis.
What Size Solar Battery?
Sizing a home battery by evening use and home profile.
Dynamic Electricity Tariffs
Every Irish dynamic plan compared, with today's day-ahead prices in c/kWh.
Night Rate Electricity
Night rate hours, every supplier's night rate, and the break-even against a flat plan.
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.
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