SEAI Solar Panel Grants Ireland — 2026 Guide
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants of up to €1,800 for residential solar PV installations and up to €162,600 for commercial systems. Combined with 0% VAT and feed-in tariffs of 15–32c/kWh, solar panels in Ireland pay for themselves in 4–6 years.
Last updated February 2026
Grant confirmed at €1,800 for 2026. Last updated February 2026.
What is the SEAI grant for solar panels in 2026?
The SEAI solar panel grant in 2026 provides up to €1,800 for residential solar PV installations. The grant rate is €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp and €200 per additional kWp up to 4 kWp. A planned €300 reduction was reversed, keeping the maximum at €1,800 for 2026. Homes built and occupied before 2021 are eligible. There is no means testing — the grant is property-based.
What solar financial supports are available in Ireland?
Residential SEAI Grant
Commercial NDMG Grant
0% VAT
Feed-in Tariff
Tax-Free Export Income
Business Tax Relief
How much is the SEAI solar panel grant?
The SEAI Solar Electricity Grant helps homeowners install solar PV panels. The grant was confirmed at €1,800 maximum for 2026 — reversing a planned €300 reduction.
| System Size | Grant Rate | Total Grant | Typical Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €700/kWp | €700 | €1,500 – €2,500 |
| 2 kWp | €700/kWp | €1,400 | €2,000 – €3,000 |
| 3 kWp | €700 x 2 + €200 x 1 | €1,600 | €2,500 – €4,000 |
| 4 kWp+ | €700 x 2 + €200 x 2 | €1,800 (max) | €3,200 – €6,200 |
Net costs include 0% VAT. Actual costs vary by installer, roof type, and system specification.
Eligibility
To qualify for the SEAI solar panel grant, your home must have been built and occupied before 2021, you must be the property owner, and you must use an SEAI-registered installer. There is no means testing — the grant is property-based, not income-based. One grant is available per MPRN (electricity meter).
You qualify if:
- ✓ Your home was built and occupied before 2021
- ✓ You are the property owner (owner-occupier or landlord)
- ✓ Your home has an MPRN (electricity meter number)
- ✓ No previous solar PV grant claimed at this MPRN
- ✓ You use an SEAI-registered solar PV company
You don't qualify if:
- ✗ Your home was built in 2021 or later
- ✗ You are a tenant (only property owners can apply)
- ✗ A solar PV grant was already claimed at this address
- ✗ Work has started before receiving the Letter of Offer
No means testing — the grant is property-based, not income-based. It does not matter how much you earn.
How do you apply for the SEAI solar grant?
You apply for the SEAI solar grant online at seai.ie using your MPRN, Eircode, and SEAI-registered installer details. The application is often approved within minutes. You must receive your Letter of Offer before any work begins. The full process from application to grant payment takes 4–8 weeks.
Get Quotes from SEAI-Registered Installers
Choose a company from SEAI's registered Solar PV Company list. Get at least two quotes and have a signed contract in place.
Submit Your Grant Application Online
Apply at seai.ie with your MPRN (from your electricity bill), Eircode, and installer details. The application must be submitted by the homeowner. Approval is often within minutes.
Receive Your Letter of Offer
SEAI issues a Letter of Offer confirming your grant amount. Do NOT start any work before receiving this letter. The offer is valid for 8 months.
Install Your Solar PV System
Your registered installer carries out the installation (typically 1–2 days). A Safe Electric Ireland registered electrician completes the electrical works. Your installer applies to ESB Networks (NC6 form) for grid connection.
Complete BER Assessment
A registered SEAI BER Assessor visits your home after installation. The assessment is published on the National BER Register. Cost: approximately €150–€300 (paid by you).
Installer Submits Documentation
Your installer submits the Declaration of Works and all required documentation to SEAI for verification.
Receive Grant Payment
SEAI pays the grant directly to your bank account by electronic transfer. Allow approximately 4–6 weeks after all documents are submitted.
Is there VAT on solar panel installation in Ireland?
Since 1 May 2023, residential solar panel installations are zero-rated for VAT. This saves approximately €1,000–€1,350 on a typical system compared to the old 13.5% rate.
What's covered
- ✓ Supply and installation of solar panels on private dwellings
- ✓ Wiring, inverters, controllers
- ✓ Battery storage when installed as part of the same contract
- ✓ Solar installations on recognised schools (from Jan 2024)
Important conditions
- ✗ Buying panels separately without installation: 13.5% VAT applies
- ✗ Separate installation contract: reduced rate may apply
- ✓ Must be a single supply-and-install contract
- ✓ Expected to remain in place until at least 2027
What is the NDMG commercial solar grant?
The SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) provides up to €162,600 for commercial solar PV installations. It supports businesses, farms, schools, community centres, and public bodies installing systems up to 1,000 kWp. The grant rate starts at €900/kWp for the first 2 kWp and decreases for larger systems. You must use an SEAI-registered Non-Domestic Microgen installer.
| System Size | Grant Rate | Example Grant |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 kWp | €900/kWp | €1,800 |
| 2.1–4 kWp | €300/additional kWp | €2,400 |
| 4–6 kWp | Flat cap | €2,400 |
| 7–20 kWp | €300/kWp | €6,600 (20 kWp) |
| 21–200 kWp | €200/kWp | €22,600 (100 kWp) |
| 201–1,000 kWp | €150/kWp | €162,600 (max) |
Who qualifies
- ✓ Businesses and sole traders
- ✓ Farms and agricultural buildings
- ✓ Schools and educational institutions
- ✓ Community centres and non-profit organisations
- ✓ Public sector bodies
- ✓ Sites with electricity demand (must be for self-consumption, not purely grid export)
Must use an SEAI-registered Non-Domestic Microgen Solar PV Company. Letter of Offer valid for 8 months.
How do solar feed-in tariffs work in Ireland?
Under Ireland's Microgeneration Support Scheme (Clean Export Guarantee), you can sell surplus electricity back to the grid. The first €400/year of export income is tax-free (extended to end of 2028).
| Supplier | Export Rate |
|---|---|
| SSE Airtricity (Premium via Activ8) | 32c/kWh Year 1, 27c Year 2 |
| Pinergy | 25c/kWh |
| Community Power | 20c/kWh |
| Electric Ireland | 19.5c/kWh |
| SSE Airtricity (Standard) | 19.5c/kWh |
| Bord Gais Energy | 18.5c/kWh |
| Energia | 18.5c/kWh |
| Flogas | 18.5c/kWh |
Rates are set by individual suppliers and can change. Always verify directly with your supplier. Self-consumption (avoiding grid imports at 30–40c/kWh) is more valuable than exporting.
Requirements for Export Payments
- ✓ Smart meter installed (ESB Networks installs for free)
- ✓ NC6 application to ESB Networks for grid connection (your installer handles this)
- ✓ Microgeneration registration with your electricity supplier
- ✓ System up to 50 kWp for residential, 6 MWp for non-residential
Can businesses claim capital allowances on solar panels?
Businesses can claim 100% tax relief in Year 1 on solar PV investments through Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) — instead of the standard 12.5% per year over 8 years.
Who qualifies
- ✓ Companies (corporation tax)
- ✓ Sole traders (income tax)
- ✓ Farmers (income tax on trading income)
Requirements
- ✓ Equipment must be new (not second-hand)
- ✓ Must be owned (not leased)
- ✓ Listed on SEAI Triple E Register at time of purchase
- ✓ Minimum qualifying cost of €1,000
Example: A €50,000 solar PV system at the 12.5% corporation tax rate yields a €6,250 tax saving in Year 1 (vs. €781/year under standard allowances).
Who qualifies for free solar panels in Ireland?
People who depend on electrically powered medical equipment at home can receive a fully funded solar PV system (up to 2 kWp) including battery storage — at no cost.
Eligibility
- ✓ Dependent on electrically powered medical equipment (dialysis, respirators, ventilators, oxygen therapy, nebulisers)
- ✓ Registered on the Priority Services Register with your electricity supplier
- ✓ Contact your supplier: Electric Ireland, Energia, SSE Airtricity, or Bord Gais Energy
Can you get solar panels for free in Ireland?
Most homeowners cannot get solar panels completely free, but the combination of the SEAI grant (€1,800), 0% VAT (saving ~€1,000), and feed-in tariff income (15–32c/kWh) reduces the effective cost significantly. Payback is typically 4–6 years, after which the electricity is essentially free for 20+ years. The only group that can receive fully free solar panels are medically vulnerable customers who depend on electrically powered equipment at home — they qualify for a fully funded 2 kWp system with battery through their electricity supplier.
What's new for SEAI solar grants in 2026?
Grant Stays at €1,800
Minister Darragh O'Brien reversed the planned €300 reduction. The residential grant remains at €1,800 for 2026. It is not yet confirmed whether reductions will resume in 2027.
Tax-Free Threshold Extended
The €400/year tax-free threshold for microgeneration export income has been extended by 3 years to the end of 2028 (Budget 2026).
Record SEAI Budget
€558 million allocated for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades in Budget 2026 — an €89 million increase on 2025.
155,000+ Solar Rooftops
Over 155,000 Irish homes now have solar panels installed, with 33,000+ grant applications expected in 2025 — up from 28,000 in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEAI Solar Grants
How much is the SEAI solar panel grant in 2026?
The maximum residential grant is €1,800 for a 4 kWp+ system. The rate is €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp, then €200 per additional kWp up to 4 kWp. The grant was confirmed at €1,800 for 2026 — a planned reduction was reversed.
Can I get the grant if my house was built after 2020?
No. The SEAI solar PV grant is only available for homes built and occupied before 2021. Newer homes are expected to meet near-zero energy building standards (NZEB) and are not eligible.
Do I need to get a BER assessment?
Yes. A post-works BER assessment by an SEAI-registered BER Assessor is mandatory to draw down the grant. It costs approximately €150–€300 and must be completed after installation. Your home does not need to meet a minimum BER rating to qualify.
Can I start work before receiving the Letter of Offer?
No. You must NOT begin any installation work before receiving your SEAI Letter of Offer. Starting early will disqualify your grant application. The offer is valid for 8 months.
Can I get a grant for battery storage?
The residential SEAI solar grant covers solar PV panels only — there is no separate grant for battery storage. However, batteries are covered by 0% VAT when installed as part of the same solar contract.
How long does the grant application take?
The online application is often approved within minutes. Installation typically takes 1–2 days. The full process from application to grant payment takes 4–8 weeks, including the BER assessment and SEAI verification.
Can a landlord apply for the grant?
Yes. The grant is property-based, so landlords and approved housing bodies can apply. The applicant must be the property owner — tenants cannot apply.
Is the grant available in Northern Ireland?
No. SEAI is a Republic of Ireland body. The grant is available in all 26 counties of the Republic. Northern Ireland has separate schemes administered by the NI government.
How much are solar panels in Ireland?
Solar panels in Ireland cost approximately €1,750 per kWp before the SEAI grant, at 0% VAT. A typical 4.4 kWp system (10 panels) costs around €7,700 before the grant, or approximately €5,900 after the €1,800 SEAI grant. Prices vary by installer, equipment brand, and system size.
How much do solar panels cost in Ireland?
After the SEAI grant and 0% VAT, a residential solar panel system costs €3,200–€11,800 depending on size. The most popular system — 10 panels at 4.4 kWp — costs approximately €5,900 net. Adding a 5 kWh battery adds €3,000–€5,000. Get at least 2–3 quotes to compare.
How much for solar panels in Ireland?
Budget approximately €5,000–€6,000 net for a standard 4.4 kWp system (10 panels) after the SEAI grant. This includes panels, inverter, installation, electrical works, and ESB Networks connection. The 0% VAT rate and SEAI grant of up to €1,800 significantly reduce the upfront cost.
What SEAI grants are available in your county?
See county-specific SEAI grant savings, payback periods, and solar potential for all 32 Irish counties.
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
SEAI grants apply to the 26 Republic of Ireland counties only. NI county pages cover alternative solar support schemes.
Sources
- SEAI Solar Electricity Grant — seai.ie
- SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant — seai.ie
- Microgeneration Support Scheme — seai.ie
- Revenue.ie — Accelerated Capital Allowances — revenue.ie
- 0% VAT on solar panels (Finance Act 2023) — revenue.ie
Ready to Claim Your SEAI Grant?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from SEAI-registered solar panel installers in your area.