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How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In Ireland ?

Thinking about transition to solar power but unsure what the actual cost is? Solar panels can help you cut your energy expenses while enjoying long-term energy independence and protect yourself against growing expenses.

In this blog, we will explore how much solar panels cost in Ireland, what factors affect the actual cost and help you increase your property value.

Who Is Eligible for the Solar Electricity Grant?

The average cost of solar panels in Ireland will be approximately €7,800 with the SEAI grant or €9,600 without it. This is based on getting 13–14 solar panels. It includes the components, installation costs, and wiring.

Adding optional extras such as a solar battery or a power diverter for the immersion can significantly increase the average cost of a solar PV system in Ireland.

A solar battery can add up to €3,000 to the cost of a solar PV system, while a power diverter might add €300-€600 onto the price tag.

Solar Panels Ireland Cost Calculator

Get a quick estimate of the costs, savings and payback periods of various sized residential solar PV systems.
Solar Cost Estimator
Adjust the panels, year and battery to see costs & savings (illustrative only).

How many panels do you need? i Select the number of solar panels for your installation. 10 panels (approx. 4.4kWp) is suitable for an average three bedroom house.

46810121416
6 panels (2.64 kWp)

Grant application year? i The SEAI grant is scheduled to reduce by €300 per year until it is no longer available.

Add a solar battery (5kW)? i Adding a battery increases installation cost but can increase your annual and lifetime savings.

Estimated Installation Cost
—
A 6 panel solar installation (2.64kWp) is suitable for a small-to-medium house.
The maximum SEAI grant available in 2026 is projected to be €1,500.
Due to their ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid, many homes do not require batteries.
Guide only, not a quotation. Site specifics (orientation, shading, roof type, hardware choices) can change outcomes.

Solar Panel Cost for a Two Bedroom Terraced House

A two-bedroom terraced home with enough space for eight south facing panels can benefit from solar energy without a large upfront cost.
Cost and Grants

The cost for a 2 bedroom terraced home is €5,650 after the SEAI grant.

Cost BreakdownPrices
Initial Cost€7,350
SEAI Grant– €1,700
Net Cost€5,650
Annual Output

This includes an array of eight 440W solar panels generating a total of 3,000 kWh annually. This equals to a saving of around €846 per year.

Payback Period

A 3.5kWp solar panel system could generate over 3,000 kWh every year for over 25 years on south-facing roofs, paying for themselves in approximately 6 years and 8 months.

Environmental Effect

A 3.5kWp solar panel system could generate over 3,000 kWh every year for over 25 years on south-facing roofs, paying for themselves in approximately 6 years and 8 months.

Solar Panel Cost for a 3 Bedroom Semi-detached House

This offers enough space for a 10-panel solar system making it ideal for families with average energy use.
Cost and Grants

The cost of 10 solar panel systems is about €6,300 after the SEAI grant.

Cost BreakdownPrices
Initial Cost€8,100
SEAI Grant– €1,800
Net Cost€6,300
Annual Output
Ten 440W panels generate roughly 3,700 kWh per year on a south‑facing roof and save €1,043 annually.
Payback Period
The 4.4 kWp system pays back in 6 years & 8 months then keeps producing electricity for 25+ years.
Environmental Effect
The system cuts 1,325 kg of CO₂ per year equal to planting over 50 trees and needs only 20 m² of roof space.

Solar Panel Cost for a 4 Bedroom Detached House

A four bedroom detached home can fit a 12-panel solar system offering strong generation capacity and long-term savings.
Setup Cost

The installation cost after the SEAI grant is €7,100.

Cost BreakdownPrices
Initial Cost€8,900
SEAI Grant– €1,800
Net Cost€7,100
Annual Output

With twelve 440 W panels the system produces around 4,500 kWh per year saving about €1,269 annually.

Payback Period
The 5.5 kWp system generally pays for itself in about five years and 7 months, then continues to generate free power for decades.
Environmental Effect
It reduces 1,590 kg of CO₂ each year equal to planting over 60 trees and needs about 25 m² of roof space.

Solar Panel Cost for a 5+ Bed Detached House

Larger detached houses usually have five or six bedrooms and plenty of roof space.
Setup Cost

16 panels installation cost after the SEAI grant of €1,800 is about €8,200.

Cost BreakdownPrices
Initial Cost€10,000
SEAI Grant– €1,800
Net Cost€8,200

 

Annual Output

This system generates 6,100 kWh per year equals to saving around €1,720 annually.

Payback Period
The setup pays for itself in four years & 9 months, making it one of the fastest returning solar options.
Environmental Effect
This cuts 2120 kg of CO₂ equivalent to planting more than 80 trees and uses around 32 m² of roof space.

What Affects the Solar Panel Cost for a Home?

There are many factors that affect the total price of a solar panel installation in Ireland.

01

Solar Array Capacity

The cost will increase with the quantity of solar panels in the system.
02

Roof Accessibility

Complex roofs can require more time or scaffolding, which would raise costs a little.
03

Equipment Quality

Using high quality solar panels and other materials is more costly but it will ultimately pay off in the long term.
04

Distance from Installer

Long travel times can extend a two-day job to three days. This adds to your total cost.
05

Optional Extras

Adding batteries or inverters boosts performance but also raises the actual cost.

How Our Solar Costs and Savings are Calculated?

The pricing and savings estimates are based on realistic conditions for a standard solar PV system in Ireland.

  • Solar Array: Figures are based on updated performance data for modern 440W solar panels.
  • Cost Figures: Prices include panels, a string inverter and all standard installation costs.
  • Location: Calculations assume a central Irish location, balancing weather variations across the country.
  • Roof Suitability: The house in these examples has a south facing roof at an angle of 30 degrees.
  • Electricity Consumption: The average household's yearly consumption is 4,200 kWh in 2025.
  • Electricity Prices: Use Electric Ireland’s 24-hour rate of 34c per kWh and a feed-in tariff of 19.5c.
  • Solar Power Usage: Savings assume 60% self-consumption and 40% export of generated electricity.
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Solar Panel Savings for Homeowners in Ireland

How much you save with solar panels depends on your system size, energy use, and how well you use the electricity your solar panels produce.
How Much Can You Save on Electricity Bills?
You can reduce your electricity bills by more than €1,500 per year with home solar panels. Your array size, daily electricity consumption and the current energy prices for both imported and exported power will determine how much you save.
What is the Payback Period for Solar Panels?
The average payback time in Ireland is about 6–7 years for systems bought in 2025. Larger setups generally recover their cost faster.
25-Year Solar Panel ROI and Lifetime Savings
With a lifespan of 25–30 years, solar panels can save tens of thousands of euros: 8 Panels: €21,150 Lifetime Savings / 274% ROI 12 Panels: €31,725 Lifetime Savings / 347% ROI 16 Panels: €43,005 Lifetime Savings / 434% ROI

Should I Get a Solar Battery for My Home?

Adding a solar battery is one of the best ways to make the most of your solar panels. It stores unused energy during the day, cuts down on electricity bills, and keeps your home powered during outages.

Home During the Day? Here’s How to Decide

  • ✔ Solar panels work best in late morning and early afternoon when many people are away from home.
  • ✔ Feed-in tariff payments are lower than the cost of buying back electricity later.
  • ✔ A battery stores excess energy for evening use, increasing your home’s energy independence.

Battery Costs vs Savings: The Real Math

  • ✔ The impact on payback depends on how much spare power you generate.
  • ✔ Homes with limited excess energy may see a 10-year payback period.
  • ✔ Charging your battery at night on cheaper rates can reduce that payback time.

Battery Costs in Ireland: What You’ll Really Pay

  • ✔ A 5 kW battery usually costs between €1,700 – €3,000 in Ireland.
  • ✔ Installation and a compatible hybrid inverter may add to total cost.
  • ✔ Expanding later with an extra module is typically more cost-effective.
  • ✔ Prices vary by smart features like monitoring and backup settings.

Four Scenarios Where Batteries Make Most Sense

  1. Large Home: A large family home unoccupied for most of the day.
  2. Blackout Protection: Homes that frequently suffer from power outages.
  3. EV Charging: Use solar power to charge an electric vehicle in the evening.
  4. Nighttime Charging: Charge the battery using cheaper night-rate electricity.

What Solar Grants Are Available for Irish Homes?

SEAI Solar Grant is the main way to bring down your costs if you are thinking about installing solar panels. In 2025 the maximum grant is €1,800. This will be reduced by €300 in 2026.

Grant Amounts by System Size

The value of the grant depends on the size of your solar system, up to a limit of 4kWp:

1
0–2kWp: €700 per kW
2
2–4kWp: €200 per kW
Solar panels on Irish home

Am I Eligible for a Grant?

All private landlords and homeowners who built and occupied their property before 2021 are eligible for the SEAI grant.

Read More About Solar Panel Grants →

Alternatives to Consider Before Buying a Solar Battery

Before spending on a solar battery, there are two simple ways to make better use of or benefit from your extra solar energy.

Two Smart Alternatives

You can either sell your excess power back to the grid or use it within your home for free hot water:

1
Feed-in Tariffs: You can sell excess electricity back to the grid and earn credits through your energy supplier.
2
Power Diverters: A power diverter redirects unused solar power to your immersion heater, giving you free hot water instead of exporting it.

Are Solar Panels Worth It in Ireland?

Solar panels are absolutely worth the investment — but it’s important to understand both the benefits and the drawbacks before making your decision.

Benefits

  • ✔ Reduced Energy Bills: A solar PV system can cover up to 75% of your electricity needs, saving hundreds of euros each year.
  • ✔ Return on Investment: Solar panels will cover their investment cost in 6–7 years.
  • ✔ Energy Independence: Solar panels help protect you from future energy price spikes and reliance on the grid.
  • ✔ Carbon Footprint: They reduce carbon emissions, making your home clean and green.

Drawbacks

  • ✖ High Upfront Cost: Solar panels can represent an upfront cost to homeowners, even with the SEAI grant.
  • ✖ Roof Suitability: The orientation and pitch of your roof may make solar panels less productive.
  • ✖ Grant Reduction: The SEAI grant is being cut by €300 each year, reducing the value of the savings.
  • ✖ Low Winter Production: Solar panels generate less energy during the winter months.

Choosing the Best Solar Panels in Ireland

Choosing the right solar panels for your home is about balancing their performance, warranty, and cost to find a solution that works best for you.

Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Panels

Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline refer to two different methods of manufacturing the silicon solar cells that make up solar panels.

Monocrystalline

  • ✔ Each cell is made from a single silicon crystal.
  • ✔ Performs better in low-light conditions and is more efficient overall.
  • ✔ More expensive due to the manufacturing process.

Polycrystalline

  • ✔ Made from multiple fused silicon crystals.
  • ✔ Less efficient but cheaper than Monocrystalline panels.
  • ✔ Now rarely used in modern residential systems as most homeowners prefer the higher performance of Monocrystalline panels.

Solar Panel Warranties and Guarantees

Solar panels usually come with two key warranties that protect your investment over time.

1
Product Warranty: Covers manufacturing defects and physical damage for a set number of years, ensuring your panels are protected against faults.
2
Power Guarantee: Ensures your panels maintain most of their original power output over their lifespan, giving you long-term performance assurance.

Solar Panel Installation Process in Ireland

Installing solar panels in Ireland is a simple process when you choose a qualified and trusted installer.

Choosing an SEAI-Registered Installer

  • Hire an SEAI-registered installer to qualify for the €1,800 grant and ensure high-quality work.
  • Registration ensures your system is eligible for free inspections and official SEAI grant support.
  • SEAI-approved installers follow strict standards and provide guaranteed workmanship for peace of mind.

Design, Survey & Installation

  • The process starts with an initial system design and quotation based on your home’s energy needs.
  • A professional site survey assesses your roof structure, angle, and panel placement.
  • After approval, you’ll receive a final design and cost breakdown for confirmation.
  • Installation and commissioning are completed by qualified engineers at an agreed date.

How to Choose Your Solar PV Installer in Ireland?

Selecting the right installer is just as important as choosing the panels themselves.

1
Warranty Protection: Make sure your installer offers strong warranties on both products and workmanship.
2
Customer Reviews: Check genuine customer feedback to see how the company performs after installation.
3
Proper Accreditation: Choose an SEAI-accredited installer to qualify for grants and ensure certified installation standards.

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Find a local recommended solar panel installer in your area, and get your free quote today. It’s 100% cost and commitment free.
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Joe Brennan

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.

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FAQ

Commonly Asked Questions

Are there hidden costs when installing solar panels?
There should not be any hidden costs for getting solar panels on your home but extra costs can appear if your roof needs repairs, structural work, or electrical upgrades before installation.
Are there any recurring fees for solar panels?
Solar panels don’t have ongoing fees, though you might occasionally pay for cleaning, inspections, or inverter replacement after several years.
Do solar panels increase your property value?
Yes, homes with solar panels often have higher resale value because they lower electricity costs and make the property more energy-efficient.
How long do solar panels last?
Most panels last between 25 and 30 years while maintaining strong performance with only a slight drop in efficiency over time.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
No. Planning permission is not required to install solar panels on the rooftop of a house. The only exceptions are if the house is a protected structure or in a conservation area.
Are there financing options available to buy solar panels?
Yes, many Irish solar installers and banks offer financing plans or green loans to help spread the cost of installation.

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Black Friday Exclusive - Don’t Leave €1,000 Behind

For a limited time only, Going Solar is offering a 10KW Dyness Battery for the price of 5KW.

The SEAI grant drops soon, so this is your last chance to save big.

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*Offer valid until Nov 30

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