Solar Grants Guide for Ireland updated for 2026

At a glance: solar grants for domestic / residential

The grant towards your new solar PV panels on homes & residential buildings comes from the SEAI (the governmental body responsible for promoting solar in Ireland). Just about all homes built and occupied before 2025 are eligible.

The amount you receive depends on the size of the system you have installed, measured by your solar panel's peak power output (in kW / kWp).

Example grant amounts 2026:

System Size	2026 Grant Value	Solar Panel Array
2.5 kWp e.g. small 2 bed home	€1,500	~12m² 6-8 panels
3.0 kWp e.g. larger 2 bed home	€1,600	~14m² 7-10 panels
3.5 kWp e.g. standard 3-bed home	€1,700	~17m² 8-12 panels
4 kWp e.g larger 3-bed home	€1,800	~19m² 9-13 panels
€1,800 is the maximum solar panel grant. Add a qualifying battery and you can also claim a further €600.

Other things you install, such as immersion diverters, do not affect the solar panel grant amount. Batteries are different, as there is now a separate grant for them.

The grant is issued as a one-time payment to the homeowner once all the work has been completed.

You can also see our grant value calculator, or the full rules for grant values.

Good to know

How much is the solar panel grant worth?

The amount of grant support provided depends on the size of your installation. It's measured by the peak generation capacity of your solar panels, which is usually quoted in kW or kWp.

Latest SEAI rates (Updated for Budget 2027)

€700 per kWp for the first 2kWp
€200 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp
Total solar PV grant capped at €1,800, which you get at 4kWp or above

Examples for 2026 rates:

2kWp system (approx. 5 panels) would get €1,400 of grant support
3kWp system (approx. 7 panels) would get €1,600 of grant support
4kWp system (approx. 9 panels), or anything larger, would get €1,800 of grant support

What cost can be covered under the solar PV grant?

The grant can be used for the purchase and installation of your solar PV system, covering both equipment and labour.

What about batteries / immersion diverters etc?

Batteries now have a grant of their own. Since the 6th of October 2026, the SEAI pays a separate flat €600 towards any home battery of 5kWh or larger. A battery smaller than 5kWh does not qualify, and neither do immersion diverters or other add-ons.

Both grants use the same rule on the age of the home: your home must have been built and occupied before 2025. That applies to the solar panel grant and to the €600 battery grant alike.

If you are installing the panels and the battery together, both grants are claimed on the one application. Either way, the work cannot start until your grant offer is in place.

If your solar panel application is already with SEAI and you want to add a battery, you do not need to amend the existing application. You submit a new application for the battery grant by logging into the SEAI portal . The same works in reverse: if you have already claimed one of the two grants, you can apply for the other at a later date, as long as you still meet the eligibility rules at that point.

The timing rule catches people out, so it is worth repeating here. SEAI cannot accept an application for an installation that has already started. If the battery is fitted before your grant offer arrives, there is no grant for it.

Good to know

Am I eligible for a grant?

97% of our domestic solar installations receive the SEAI solar grant. To qualify, the below conditions must be met.

Private residence: The property where the solar PV system is installed must be a private residence.
Home ownership: The applicant must be the owner of the existing home.
Property age: The property must have been built and occupied before 2025. The construction date of your house is determined by the installation date of your electricity meter.
One grant per property: Each property can only claim the PV solar grant once. However, if you move, you can claim it again at your new home (assuming it doesn't already have PV panels installed).
SEAI registered installer: The work must be carried out by an SEAI registered solar company. PureVolt is a registered company, chat to us today.
New equipment to SEAI standards: The installation must use newly fitted materials and products, and the work must meet the SEAI's required standards.
BER assessment: You must obtain a BER assessment once the work is completed, using a BER assessor from SEAI's National Register.

If you are adding a battery of 5kWh or larger, there is a second, separate SEAI grant of €600 towards it. The rule on the age of the home is the same for both grants: your home must have been built and occupied before 2025.

SEAI solar grant calculator

SEAI solar grant values for domestic / home solar, businesses, commercial, public buildings and other non-commercial organisations.

Choose your grant type:

Grant Type: Standard Domestic

Including private landlords. The main SEAI solar PV grant, open to the vast majority of homeowners.

Grant Type: Enhanced (Welfare Payments)

Higher rates for homeowners in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments.

Grant Type: Non-Domestic

This covers businesses (incl. farms), commercial solar, schools, public sector bodies, community centres, and other non-profit organisations.

Number of panels:
Panel power (Wp):
Battery size (kWh, 0 if none):

Total solar array kWp:
SEAI solar panel grant:
SEAI battery grant:
Total grant:

Your grant type: SEAI solar electricity grant The SEAI solar panel grant applies to residential properties, built and occupied before 2025 (as defined by when the electricity meter was connected). Both homeowners and private landlords can avail of this grant. The maximum grant is €1,800 in 2026, which you get for system of 4kWp or above. If you are adding a battery of 5kWh or larger, the SEAI pays a further flat €600 towards it. That is a separate scheme, and it applies to homes built and occupied before 2025, the same age rule as the solar panel grant. Enter the battery size above to include it. A battery smaller than 5kWh does not qualify for anything. More about SEAI domestic solar grants applications Your grant type: SEAI enhanced solar electricity grant The enhanced grant is a higher rate of the same SEAI solar PV grant. It is open to homeowners receiving one of a set list of Department of Social Protection payments, such as the Fuel Allowance or the Working Family Payment. Solar panels attract €3,350 per kWp for the first 2kWp, then €850 per kWp up to 4kWp. The grant is capped at €8,400 for systems of 4kWp or above. The battery element is the same as the standard scheme: a flat €600 for a battery of 5kWh or larger. Add the two together and the maximum is €9,000. More about the enhanced solar grant, and the full list of qualifying payments Your Grant Type: SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant This one is a bit of a mouthful - the NDMG or Non-Domestic Microgen Grant is the SEAI's catch-all grant for non-residential solar installations, including businesses, commerical solar, schools and other public buildings, farms, non-profit organisations and community centres. This grant applies for solar panel systems from 1kWp, and it is capped at the maximum for systems of 1,000 kWp or larger. The maximum grant is €325,200, which you get at 1,000 kWp. These are the enhanced rates, available for new applications made between 7 October 2026 and 6 July 2027. The €600 SEAI battery grant shown in this calculator is for homes and private landlords only, so it does not apply under the NDMG. More about SEAI grants for business and other non-domestic buildings

How can I find the most appropriate system size for my home?

If you'd like a rough idea, check out our guide to solar panels costs for Ireland homes. It includes example quotes for various house sizes, helping you get an idea of what might be suitable for different types of homes.

We also have a domestic solar calculator if you would like to play with the numbers yourself. It will tell you the space needed on your roof & likely annual electricity generation.

For something a more accurate, we will gladly give you your own custom quote for a solar PV installation. As part of the process, one of our engineers will come to your home and conduct an on-site assessment. We assess factors such as energy costs, your energy usage patterns, and the age and condition of your home. We also evaluate the roof’s construction, the building's orientation, roof pitch, and any local shading from trees or nearby structures. Using specialist solar design software, we tailor the optimal solution for your home to maximize energy yield.

Can I get a solar PV system larger than 4kWp?

Yes, you can. However, the grant will only provide support for the first 4kWp of the system. There is no grant relief for additional kWp above this.

Does the grant only cover roof-mounted solar PV panels?

The solar PV scheme also supports ground mount systems that adhere to the PV solar scheme criteria.

Do I need planning permission to install solar panels to get grant approval?

No. SEAI grant approval is not tied to planning permission.

But what are the planning permission rules for home solar panels?

The installation of solar panels on domestic properties is exempt from planning permission. Since 2022, there is no longer a limit to the area of solar panels which can be installed on rooftops of homes, anywhere in the country. Solar installations will be able to cover the entire roof of a house. The 12m² or 50% roof limit previously applied to houses has been removed nationwide.

However, there are some exceptions. For example, properties located in solar safeguarding zones may need to obtain planning permission under certain conditions. Solar safeguarding zones are established to address aviation safety concerns, specifically to reduce the potential impact of glint and glare from increased solar developments near airports and hospitals with helipads.

Our engineers will be there to help you with this and advise you on planning permission stipulations.

More about planning permission for solar panels in Ireland.

How do I apply for a solar PV grant?

1. Pick your solar installation company

Before you can apply, you need to have an agreement with an SEAI approved solar installer (like us). The installer you use must be registered with the SEAI for you to be eligible for the SEAI solar grant.

2. Apply via SEAI website

Apply on the SEAI website for solar electricity grant . You can use our SEAI Solar PV Grant Application Guide to help you through the application process. The process is straightforward, and we're here to assist you with any questions you may have. Approval is typically very quick—most people receive an email confirming their SEAI solar panel grant approval within a few minutes. You need this approval before work can begin.

Good to know

Applying for the enhanced social welfare grant?

If you are claiming the higher €9,000 solar grant tier for recipients of qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments, the SEAI application process is exactly the same. There are no extra forms to fill out on the SEAI portal.

Important: Please let your PureVolt engineer know before you apply so we can ensure your initial quote is configured for the correct enhanced grant tier on our end.

3. Get your panels installed

Next is to get your solar panels installed and "commissioned", which is the fancy term for running the standard tests and turning your new system on.

4. Paperwork our end & the new BER certificate

As soon as your system is up and running, we can send our paperwork into the SEAI. This is to confirm to the SEAI that we, as an SEAI registered solar installer, have fitted your system and it is up and running.

You also need a post-works BER certificate with your new improved building energy rating.

5. Receive your grant payment

It normally takes them around 6 weeks from receiving that confirmation until the money is in your account.

What information do I need to apply?

1. MPRN - the Meter Point Reference Number. This number appears on your electricity bill and is 11 digits long. The address associated with the MPRN will be the contact address used by SEAI for all postal correspondence. You should ensure that the details registered with ESB networks for this MPRN are correct and accurate.

2. The year your house was built and occupied (it must have been built and occupied before 2025).

3. Your selected registered PV solar installation company

4. Details of the system to be installed

5. Your contact email address

Applications must be submitted by private individuals and not by companies or contractors. However, we understand how intimidating and complicated these things can seem, so our friendly and helpful team will be there to support you through the process.

Can PureVolt Solar help me with the SEAI grant application?

Of course. Thankfully, it is quite straightforward, but if you've any questions along the way just ask and we'll be glad to help.

Advanced and other questions about solar grants

This section is for those with more advanced questions about solar grants. If you have any other questions about solar grants, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What happens once the grant is approved?
You will receive an email notification that the grant has been approved. The first thing that must happen is that applicants must ensure that they accept their grant offer and the attached terms and conditions.
Once you have accepted your grant offer, you have 8 months to complete the works and submit all the required documentation to the SEAI.
The next step is for your installation company to apply to ESB Networks to connect the solar PV system to the electricity network. They must do this before installing the solar PV system. This application process takes about 4 weeks.
Once this is complete, your installation company can begin your installation.
Can I change my mind about the PV system after grant approval?
Once approved, the grant is only payable for the type of PV system and work specified in your application and detailed in the grant offer.
Can I begin my installation while waiting for my grant to be approved?
No. Grant approval from SEAI must be in place before any purchase of materials or commencement of any works. Any installation or expenditure incurred before this will be deemed ineligible.
Will I receive the grant before installing my solar PV system?
No. The SEAI will only release grant payments once it receives confirmation that all the works and measures have been completed, and the installation company has been paid.
How long does it take for the payment to come through?
When all the relevant documentation has been submitted online, it takes around 6 weeks for the SEAI to process your claim and make the payment. However, occasionally the SEAI will conduct inspections (see below for other information on grants). When this happens, your payment will take a little longer.
How will the grant payment be made?
Payments are only made by electronic fund transfer (EFT) into the bank account nominated by the homeowner on the application.
What happens once the solar panel installation is complete?
Once the solar panel installation has been completed, you must get a post-works BER rating for your home. We try to make the whole process as easy as possible for you. And, we can organise this for you as an optional extra. Just speak with our engineer and let him know you would like us to take care of this for you, and we will arrange everything.
When the post-works BER rating is done, we will complete a 'Declaration of Works' Form describing the works completed, and ensuring we have all the necessary information and documentation to support the grant payment processing. We will submit all of this online for you.
Other information on grants
All installations may be subject to inspections by SEAI to verify that they match the grant claim, meet the scheme's requirements, or for quality purposes. Properties may be selected by a random sampling process, or chosen for specific reasons. The SEAI will notify homeowners before such inspections. Where selected, applicants are required to grant access to their home for inspection within a specified period, failure of which may lead to grant refusal or grant clawback. Applicants must give access to their home for inspection within 14 days of the initial request — unless agreed otherwise.
The applicant may be requested to participate in follow-up research as may be commissioned by SEAI to establish the scheme's impacts and achievements. This will also include acquiring information and data for developing case studies for wider dissemination (protecting as appropriate all personal data, confidential or commercially sensitive information).
The solar PV system, battery energy storage system and meter point data may be used by SEAI or its agents to assess the impact of Micro-generation on the local electricity system and the development of future methods. SEAI may assess this data directly or share aggregated data with third parties for analysis.
If you have any unanswered questions about solar panel installation, and you would like to find out more — please get in touch.
You can also learn more about solar electricity grants on the SEAI's website.
The Citizen's Information website also has a page about individual home energy upgrade grants (Better Energy Homes) , which covers the solar grants, amongst other home improvement grants.