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Home›Solar Grant for Residential Installations
SEAI domestic solar electricity grant, 2026
€700 per kWp up to 2kWp, then €200 per kWp up to 4kWp.
Homes built and occupied before 2021, fitted by an SEAI-registered installer.
0% VAT on domestic solar installation, applied automatically.
The SEAI Solar Electricity Grant is a government grant that helps Irish homeowners cover the cost of installing solar panels. It is run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and is worth up to €1,800, paid after your system is installed by an SEAI registered company.
The grant is part of Ireland’s push to cut home energy bills and emissions, and most owner-occupied homes built before 2021 qualify.
The SEAI solar grant is worth up to €1,800 in 2026. You get €700 per kWp up to 2kWp, then €200 per kWp up to 4kWp. The bigger your system, up to that 4kWp cap, the larger your grant.
| System Size | 2026 Grant Value | Solar Panel Array |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €700 |
~12m2 6-8 panels |
| 2 kWp | €1,400 |
~14m2 7-10 panels |
| 3 kWp | €1,600 |
~17m2 8-12 panels |
| 4 kWp or more | €1,800 (maximum) |
~19m2 9-13 panels |
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 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.
Most owner-occupied Irish homes built before 2021 qualify for the SEAI solar grant. You need to meet all of the criteria below and use an SEAI registered installer like Going Solar.
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.
Yes. The grant is capped at 4kWp, so €1,800 is the most you can claim, but there is nothing stopping you installing a larger system. Many homeowners size up for higher usage, a battery, an EV charger or a future heat pump, and still claim the full grant.
The grant covers your home solar PV system, and most installations are roof-mounted because it is the simplest and cheapest option. Ground or wall-mounted arrays can also generate power, but the planning rules differ, so it is worth checking before you commit.
No. The SEAI grant does not require planning permission for a standard rooftop installation. As long as your home qualifies, you can go straight to installation and claim the grant with no planning application needed.
Since 2022, rooftop solar on houses is exempt from planning permission, in most cases with no cap on roof area. The main exceptions are protected structures, homes in an architectural conservation area, and properties near an airport or aerodrome, where limits or permission may still apply. Check with your local authority if you are unsure.
Choose an SEAI-registered company like Going Solar and agree your system.
The application goes in before any work starts. We handle this step for you.
Once approved, your panels are fitted, often in a single day.
A BER assessment is carried out after installation, as the grant requires.
The final documents go to SEAI, who pay the grant into your account. We manage the submission.
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.
Yes. The SEAI Solar Electricity Grant is a government-funded grant worth up to €1,800 for homeowners installing solar panels. It is run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and paid after your system is installed by an SEAI-registered company.
The grant is a one-time payment per property. If it has already been claimed for your home, by you or a previous owner, you cannot claim again. If your address has never received an SEAI solar PV grant, you can still apply.
After. You get grant approval before the work starts, but SEAI pays the grant once your system is installed, your paperwork is submitted and a post-works BER is done. Payment typically lands within a few weeks of the final documents going in.
Either can apply, but with Going Solar we handle the full SEAI application for you, from grant approval before installation to the final submission afterwards. You get the grant paid into your account without managing the forms or deadlines.
Yes. Landlords can apply for the grant on properties they own, as long as the home was built and occupied before 2021 and meets the other conditions. It remains one payment per eligible property.
No. To qualify, the system must be installed by an SEAI-registered company using a Safe Electric registered electrician. DIY or unregistered installations are not eligible, which is why homeowners use a registered installer.
The grant itself is not treated as taxable income. Separately, money you earn from exporting excess electricity to the grid has its own tax-free allowance. Rules can change, so confirm the current position with Revenue or your installer.
The grant still pays up to €1,800 in 2026, but the maximum has fallen in recent years, from €2,400 in 2023. There is no confirmed end date, but rates can be reviewed, so it makes sense to apply while the current amount stands.
