SEAI Grant in Kildare — 2026 Guide
Homeowners in Kildare can claim the SEAI solar grant of up to €1,800 when installing solar panels in Kildare. A 4kWp system here generates 3,540 kWh per year — saving an estimated €984 annually and paying for itself in 5.3 years after the grant. Kildare performs 0.1% above the national average for solar yield, ranking #11 of 26 counties.
Last updated February 2026.
How much can you save with the SEAI grant in Kildare?
SEAI Grant
Grant Covers
Annual Savings
Payback Period
25-Year Return
4kWp Generation
Household Coverage
vs National Avg
What is the SEAI grant breakdown for Kildare?
The SEAI solar grant in Kildare follows the national rate: €700/kWp for the first 2 kWp and €200/kWp for additional capacity up to 4 kWp. Here's what solar panels in Kildare cost and save at each system size, based on 885 kWh/kWp local generation.
| System Size | SEAI Grant | Gross Cost | Net Cost | Annual Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 kWp (5 panels) | €1,400 | €3,500 | €2,100 | €492 | 4.3 years |
| 3 kWp (7 panels) | €1,600 | €5,250 | €3,650 | €738 | 4.9 years |
| 4 kWp (10 panels) | €1,800 | €7,000 | €5,200 | €984 | 5.3 years |
| 6 kWp (14 panels) | €1,800 | €10,500 | €8,700 | €1,476 | 5.9 years |
Based on €1750/kWp system cost, 885 kWh/kWp generation in Kildare, 55% self-consumption, electricity at 35c/kWh, export at 19c/kWh. Costs at 0% VAT.
How popular is solar energy in Kildare?
1,501 homes in Kildare received SEAI solar grants in 2024, ranking the county #11 out of 26 for solar potential.
Kildare is in the Leinster region, receiving approximately 1,295 sunshine hours per year with 875mm annual rainfall.
At 885 kWh per kWp, solar panels in Kildare generate 0.1% more than the national average — but with the SEAI grant covering 26% of costs, the investment pays back in 5.3 years regardless.
How does Kildare compare to other Leinster counties for solar?
How Kildare's solar potential and SEAI grant returns compare to other counties in Leinster.
| County | Solar Yield | 4kWp Output | Annual Savings | Payback | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wexford | 965 kWh/kWp | 3,860 kWh | €1,073/yr | 4.8 yrs | #1 |
| Wicklow | 947 kWh/kWp | 3,788 kWh | €1,053/yr | 4.9 yrs | #3 |
| Dublin | 915 kWh/kWp | 3,660 kWh | €1,017/yr | 5.1 yrs | #4 |
| Carlow | 911 kWh/kWp | 3,644 kWh | €1,013/yr | 5.1 yrs | #5 |
| Kilkenny | 905 kWh/kWp | 3,620 kWh | €1,006/yr | 5.2 yrs | #7 |
| Laois | 888 kWh/kWp | 3,552 kWh | €988/yr | 5.3 yrs | #10 |
| Kildare | 885 kWh/kWp | 3,540 kWh | €984/yr | 5.3 yrs | #11 |
| Meath | 885 kWh/kWp | 3,540 kWh | €984/yr | 5.3 yrs | #12 |
| Louth | 881 kWh/kWp | 3,524 kWh | €980/yr | 5.3 yrs | #15 |
| Offaly | 881 kWh/kWp | 3,524 kWh | €980/yr | 5.3 yrs | #16 |
| Westmeath | 871 kWh/kWp | 3,484 kWh | €969/yr | 5.4 yrs | #17 |
| Longford | 854 kWh/kWp | 3,416 kWh | €950/yr | 5.5 yrs | #20 |
Do you qualify for the SEAI grant in Kildare?
The SEAI solar grant applies equally across all 26 ROI counties. Here's a quick check for Kildare homeowners.
You qualify if:
- ✓ Home built and occupied before 2021
- ✓ You are the property owner
- ✓ No previous solar PV grant claimed at this MPRN
- ✓ You use an SEAI-registered installer
You don't qualify if:
- ✗ Home built in 2021 or later
- ✗ You are a tenant (owners only)
- ✗ A solar PV grant was already claimed at this address
- ✗ Work started before receiving the Letter of Offer
How to apply
- Get quotes from 2–3 SEAI-registered installers covering Kildare
- Apply online at seai.ie with your MPRN and Eircode
- Receive your Letter of Offer — do not start work before this
- Complete installation and post-works BER assessment
- Grant paid to your bank within 4–6 weeks
What other solar supports are available in Kildare?
0% VAT
Residential solar installations are zero-rated for VAT since May 2023. On a €7,000 system in Kildare, this saves approximately €945 compared to the old 13.5% rate.
Feed-in Tariff
A 4 kWp system in Kildare exports approximately 1,593 kWh/year to the grid, earning around €303/year at current rates. The first €400/year of export income is tax-free until end 2028.
Tax-Free Income
The first €400 of annual microgeneration income is exempt from income tax, USC, and PRSI. This exemption was extended to end 2028 in Budget 2026.
Solar Panels in Kildare
Full county guide — local data, installers, and town-level info.
Installers in Kildare
Browse SEAI-registered solar installers covering Kildare.
Solar Calculator
Calculate your exact savings, payback, and export income.
Full SEAI Grant Guide
Complete 2026 guide — residential, commercial, application process.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEAI Grants in Kildare
How much is the SEAI solar grant in Kildare?
The SEAI grant in Kildare is the same as the rest of Ireland — up to €1,800 for a 4 kWp+ system. This solar grant covers 26% of a typical 4 kWp system cost (€7,000) for solar panels in Kildare. The grant rate is €700/kWp for the first 2 kWp and €200/kWp for the next 2 kWp.
What is the payback period for solar panels in Kildare?
A 4 kWp system in Kildare has an estimated payback of 5.3 years. This is based on 3,540 kWh annual generation, €984 yearly savings (electricity + export), and a net cost of €5,200 after the €1,800 SEAI grant.
How much can I save with solar panels in Kildare?
A 4 kWp system in Kildare saves approximately €984 per year — €681 from reduced electricity bills and €303 from exporting surplus to the grid. Over 25 years, that's a net return of approximately €19,400.
How does Kildare compare to other counties for solar?
Kildare generates 885 kWh per kWp installed, which is 0.1% above the national average of 884 kWh/kWp, ranking #11 out of 26 counties. 1,295 sunshine hours and 875mm rainfall per year.
Do I qualify for the SEAI grant in Kildare?
If your home in Kildare was built and occupied before 2021, you are the property owner, and no solar PV grant has been claimed at your MPRN before, you qualify. There is no means testing. You must use an SEAI-registered installer and apply before any work begins.
How much electricity will solar panels export in Kildare?
A 4 kWp system in Kildare generates 3,540 kWh/year. Approximately 45% (1,593 kWh) is exported to the grid, earning around €303/year at current feed-in rates. The first €400/year of export income is tax-free.
Sources
- SEAI Solar Electricity Grant — seai.ie
- SEAI Solar PV Registered Installer List — seai.ie
- 0% VAT on Solar Panels (Finance Act 2023) — revenue.ie
- Microgeneration Support Scheme — seai.ie
Claim Your SEAI Grant in Kildare
Get a free, no-obligation quote from SEAI-registered installers covering Kildare.