SEAI Grant in Laois — 2026 Guide
Homeowners in Laois can claim the SEAI solar grant of up to €1,800 when installing solar panels in Laois. A 4kWp system here generates 3,552 kWh per year — saving an estimated €988 annually and paying for itself in 5.3 years after the grant. Laois performs 0.5% above the national average for solar yield, ranking #10 of 26 counties.
Last updated February 2026.
How much can you save with the SEAI grant in Laois?
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 Laois?
The SEAI solar grant in Laois 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 Laois cost and save at each system size, based on 888 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 | €494 | 4.3 years |
| 3 kWp (7 panels) | €1,600 | €5,250 | €3,650 | €741 | 4.9 years |
| 4 kWp (10 panels) | €1,800 | €7,000 | €5,200 | €988 | 5.3 years |
| 6 kWp (14 panels) | €1,800 | €10,500 | €8,700 | €1,481 | 5.9 years |
Based on €1750/kWp system cost, 888 kWh/kWp generation in Laois, 55% self-consumption, electricity at 35c/kWh, export at 19c/kWh. Costs at 0% VAT.
How popular is solar energy in Laois?
526 homes in Laois received SEAI solar grants in 2024, ranking the county #10 out of 26 for solar potential.
Laois is in the Leinster region, receiving approximately 1,278 sunshine hours per year with 975mm annual rainfall.
At 888 kWh per kWp, solar panels in Laois generate 0.5% 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 Laois compare to other Leinster counties for solar?
How Laois'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 Laois?
The SEAI solar grant applies equally across all 26 ROI counties. Here's a quick check for Laois 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 Laois
- 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 Laois?
0% VAT
Residential solar installations are zero-rated for VAT since May 2023. On a €7,000 system in Laois, this saves approximately €945 compared to the old 13.5% rate.
Feed-in Tariff
A 4 kWp system in Laois exports approximately 1,598 kWh/year to the grid, earning around €304/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 Laois
Full county guide — local data, installers, and town-level info.
Installers in Laois
Browse SEAI-registered solar installers covering Laois.
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 Laois
How much is the SEAI solar grant in Laois?
The SEAI grant in Laois 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 Laois. 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 Laois?
A 4 kWp system in Laois has an estimated payback of 5.3 years. This is based on 3,552 kWh annual generation, €988 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 Laois?
A 4 kWp system in Laois saves approximately €988 per year — €684 from reduced electricity bills and €304 from exporting surplus to the grid. Over 25 years, that's a net return of approximately €19,500.
How does Laois compare to other counties for solar?
Laois generates 888 kWh per kWp installed, which is 0.5% above the national average of 884 kWh/kWp, ranking #10 out of 26 counties. 1,278 sunshine hours and 975mm rainfall per year.
Do I qualify for the SEAI grant in Laois?
If your home in Laois 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 Laois?
A 4 kWp system in Laois generates 3,552 kWh/year. Approximately 45% (1,598 kWh) is exported to the grid, earning around €304/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 Laois
Get a free, no-obligation quote from SEAI-registered installers covering Laois.