SEAI Grant in Waterford — 2026 Guide
Homeowners in Waterford can claim the SEAI solar grant of up to €1,800 when installing solar panels in Waterford. A 4kWp system here generates 3,796 kWh per year — saving an estimated €1,055 annually and paying for itself in 4.9 years after the grant. Waterford performs 7.4% above the national average for solar yield, ranking #2 of 26 counties.
Last updated February 2026.
How much can you save with the SEAI grant in Waterford?
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 Waterford?
The SEAI solar grant in Waterford 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 Waterford cost and save at each system size, based on 949 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 | €528 | 4 years |
| 3 kWp (7 panels) | €1,600 | €5,250 | €3,650 | €791 | 4.6 years |
| 4 kWp (10 panels) | €1,800 | €7,000 | €5,200 | €1,055 | 4.9 years |
| 6 kWp (14 panels) | €1,800 | €10,500 | €8,700 | €1,583 | 5.5 years |
Based on €1750/kWp system cost, 949 kWh/kWp generation in Waterford, 55% self-consumption, electricity at 35c/kWh, export at 19c/kWh. Costs at 0% VAT.
How popular is solar energy in Waterford?
762 homes in Waterford received SEAI solar grants in 2024, ranking the county #2 out of 26 for solar potential.
Waterford is in the Munster region, receiving approximately 1,465 sunshine hours per year with 1,025mm annual rainfall.
At 949 kWh per kWp, solar panels in Waterford generate 7.4% more than the national average — but with the SEAI grant covering 26% of costs, the investment pays back in 4.9 years regardless.
How does Waterford compare to other Munster counties for solar?
How Waterford's solar potential and SEAI grant returns compare to other counties in Munster.
| County | Solar Yield | 4kWp Output | Annual Savings | Payback | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford | 949 kWh/kWp | 3,796 kWh | €1,055/yr | 4.9 yrs | #2 |
| Cork | 907 kWh/kWp | 3,628 kWh | €1,009/yr | 5.2 yrs | #6 |
| Kerry | 896 kWh/kWp | 3,584 kWh | €996/yr | 5.2 yrs | #8 |
| Clare | 888 kWh/kWp | 3,552 kWh | €988/yr | 5.3 yrs | #9 |
| Tipperary | 884 kWh/kWp | 3,536 kWh | €983/yr | 5.3 yrs | #14 |
| Limerick | 869 kWh/kWp | 3,476 kWh | €966/yr | 5.4 yrs | #18 |
Do you qualify for the SEAI grant in Waterford?
The SEAI solar grant applies equally across all 26 ROI counties. Here's a quick check for Waterford 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 Waterford
- 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 Waterford?
0% VAT
Residential solar installations are zero-rated for VAT since May 2023. On a €7,000 system in Waterford, this saves approximately €945 compared to the old 13.5% rate.
Feed-in Tariff
A 4 kWp system in Waterford exports approximately 1,708 kWh/year to the grid, earning around €325/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 Waterford
Full county guide — local data, installers, and town-level info.
Installers in Waterford
Browse SEAI-registered solar installers covering Waterford.
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 Waterford
How much is the SEAI solar grant in Waterford?
The SEAI grant in Waterford 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 Waterford. 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 Waterford?
A 4 kWp system in Waterford has an estimated payback of 4.9 years. This is based on 3,796 kWh annual generation, €1,055 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 Waterford?
A 4 kWp system in Waterford saves approximately €1,055 per year — €731 from reduced electricity bills and €325 from exporting surplus to the grid. Over 25 years, that's a net return of approximately €21,175.
How does Waterford compare to other counties for solar?
Waterford generates 949 kWh per kWp installed, which is 7.4% above the national average of 884 kWh/kWp, ranking #2 out of 26 counties. 1,465 sunshine hours and 1,025mm rainfall per year.
Do I qualify for the SEAI grant in Waterford?
If your home in Waterford 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 Waterford?
A 4 kWp system in Waterford generates 3,796 kWh/year. Approximately 45% (1,708 kWh) is exported to the grid, earning around €325/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 Waterford
Get a free, no-obligation quote from SEAI-registered installers covering Waterford.