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Energy prices have surged in recent years and for countless Irish homeowners, the idea of fitting solar panels feels beyond the budget. However, the idea might feel over expensive but the solar grant for residential installation has changed it all. The SEAI grant helps to cover the cost of installing solar panels on your home, giving you up to €1,800 towards the total price.
It’s a simple and affordable way to make renewable energy more affordable and half your electricity bills for good. In this guide, we’ll explain how the grant works, who can apply, and how Going Solar can help you every step of the way.
The solar grant for residential installation is part of Ireland’s renewable-energy push and is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It offers homeowners financial help to install solar PV panels and start producing their own electricity at home. If your home was built and occupied before 2021, then you can safely apply for the grant.
The exact grant you receive depends on the size of your system, measured in kilowatt-peak (kWp). Larger systems qualify for a higher payment, up to the maximum amount set by the SEAI.
| 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 grant.
Larger installations get this maximum amount.
Also, if you are adding anything extra such as battery storage systems or immersion diverters, this won’t affect your grant value. These can be added to your setup if you wish, but they aren’t included in the SEAI grant amount.
The grant is paid as a one-time payment directly to the homeowner once all the installation work has been completed, inspected, and approved by the SEAI.
The amount of grant support you receive depends on the size of your solar system. This is measured by the peak generation capacity of your solar panels, which is usually in kW or kWp.
Rates of 2026
Examples for 2026 Rates:
The solar grant for residential installation helps pay for both the equipment and the labour needed to fit a solar PV system. It covers the panels, inverter, mounting gear and all installation work carried out by your installer. In short, the grant goes directly towards the full cost of getting your solar panels up and running at home.
Usually many homeowners in Ireland can qualify for the Solar Grant For Residential Installation. In fact, around 97% of domestic installations carried out by Going Solar receive approval from the SEAI. To check if your home meets the rules, look through the points below:
Including private landlords
This covers businesses (incl. farms), commercial solar, schools, public sector bodies, community centres, and other non-profit organisations.
Your grant type:
The SEAI solar electricity grant helps homeowners and private landlords cut the cost of installing solar panels. It’s available for houses that were built and lived in before 31 December 2020 based on when the electricity meter was first connected. The grant can go up to €1,800 in 2026 which applies to systems of 4 kWp or larger. It’s a simple way for households across Ireland to make solar energy that is relatively more affordable.
Applying for the SEAI grant is pretty simple once you know the steps. You just need to follow the process in order and make sure everything’s done by an approved installer.
You or your installer can submit the grant application online through the SEAI website. Wait for the approval letter before any work begins, starting early can void the grant.
Once approved, your installer can fit the solar panels, inverter and any other equipment agreed in your quote. They’ll also arrange the ESB Networks connection if required.
After installation, the installer handles the declaration of works and helps you get a BER certificate from an SEAI-registered assessor. This shows your home’s updated energy rating.
When all documents are approved by SEAI, the grant is paid directly to you as a one-time payment. It usually arrives within a few weeks of completion.
Founder @ Going Solar
Joe Brennan, the founder of Going Solar, is dedicated to making solar power mainstream in Ireland and meet SEAI objectives. With a focus on affordability and sustainability, he is bringing renewable energy solutions to homes, reducing costs & environmental impact.
Most people see their payment within a month or so after the job’s done. SEAI can take a few weeks to check the paperwork but once everything’s signed off, the money usually lands fairly quick.
