What is NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building)?
A building standard requiring very high energy efficiency and significant on-site renewable energy generation.
Quick Answer
NZEB regulations came into effect in Ireland in November 2019 for all new homes. This means all new Irish homes must include renewable energy — usually solar PV — as standard. A typical NZEB-compliant home includes 1.5–3 kWp of solar PV, a heat pump, and high levels of insulation. The standard has driven significant growth in Ireland's solar installation industry.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) Explained
NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) is a building standard that requires buildings to have very high energy performance, with the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required covered largely by energy from renewable sources. The standard applies to all new buildings in the EU under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). NZEB buildings typically achieve a BER of A2 or better.
How Does NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) Work in Ireland?
NZEB regulations came into effect in Ireland in November 2019 for all new homes. This means all new Irish homes must include renewable energy — usually solar PV — as standard. A typical NZEB-compliant home includes 1.5–3 kWp of solar PV, a heat pump, and high levels of insulation. The standard has driven significant growth in Ireland's solar installation industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need solar panels for NZEB compliance?
While not strictly mandatory, solar PV is the most common and cost-effective way for new Irish homes to meet NZEB renewable energy requirements.
Related Guides
John Rooney is the founder 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.