Ireland pays you to put solar panels on your roof: the SEAI Solar Electricity Grant is worth up to €1,800 in 2026, panels have fallen sharply in price, and once they're up you also get paid for electricity you export. One rule matters more than all others: apply before any work starts, or the grant is gone.
Quick facts
- Grant
- €700 per kWp (first 2kWp) + €200/kWp after — max €1,800
- Golden rule
- Apply and get the offer BEFORE work starts
- House
- Built and occupied before 2021
- Deadline after approval
- 8 months to complete works
How much is the solar grant in 2026?
€700 for each of the first 2kWp and €200 per kWp after that, up to €1,800 — confirmed unchanged for 2026.
A typical family install (say 4-5kWp) hits the maximum. Between the grant, lower panel prices, export payments for surplus power and no VAT on domestic panels, payback times have collapsed compared with a few years ago.
Who qualifies?
Homeowners whose house was built and occupied before 2021, using an SEAI-registered installer, who apply before any work begins.
You don't need to have used other SEAI grants first, and there's no means test. The pre-2021 rule exists because newer builds were expected to include renewables already.
How do I apply?
Online at seai.ie: get your grant offer first, sign a contract with a registered installer, complete within 8 months, then a BER assessment triggers payment.
The order matters: offer → install → BER cert → payment. Your installer handles most of the paperwork day-to-day; the after-install BER assessment is the step people forget — book it early so your payment isn't delayed.
What else should I look at?
The wider SEAI grants (insulation, heat pumps), the fully-funded route if you're on Fuel Allowance — and the EV grant if you're changing car.
Solar pays best on a well-insulated home — see our full SEAI grants guide (up to €30,000+ across measures). On Fuel Allowance? The Warmer Homes Scheme may do upgrades free. And a solar roof plus an EV grant car is the cheapest motoring in Ireland.
General information, not financial or legal advice. Rules and amounts change — confirm the current details on the official source (Gov.ie, SEAI.ie, HSE.ie or Citizens Information) before you claim.
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