The 2026 Guide to Solar Grants and Incentives in Ireland

Government incentives are the difference between solar being "interesting" and solar being obvious — but the official documentation reads like it was written by a committee (it was). Here's every incentive available to Irish homeowners in 2026, in plain English. We update this guide each year.

1. The SEAI Solar Electricity Grant — up to €1,800

The big one. Confirmed unchanged at €1,800 for 2026 — the first year it hasn't been cut since the scheme began. It's calculated at €700 per kWp for the first 2kWp and €200 per kWp up to 4kWp, paid pro-rata for partial sizes and capped from 4kWp upward.

Who qualifies: owners of homes built and occupied before 2021, where the grant hasn't previously been claimed at that MPRN. No means test, no minimum BER. You must use an SEAI-registered installer and get your Letter of Offer before any work starts. Full walkthrough on our solar grants page.

2. 0% VAT on residential solar

Since May 2023, the supply and installation of solar panels on private homes carries 0% VAT — a permanent change that knocks what used to be 13.5% off the bill before you've claimed anything. Unlike the grant, this applies to every home, including new builds.

3. Clean Export Guarantee payments

Under the microgeneration scheme, your supplier must pay you for surplus electricity exported to the grid — typically 15–25c per kWh in 2026, credited on your bill. There's also a modest tax exemption on microgeneration income for domestic producers. No application drama: your installer's ESB Networks NC6 form registers you as a microgenerator.

4. The €300 EV home charger grant

Separate scheme, stacks happily with solar: a flat €300 towards a smart home charger installed by a Safe Electric registered electrician — and you don't need to own an EV to claim. Details on our charger grants page.

5. Worth knowing about

• Other SEAI home energy grants (insulation, heat pumps, heating controls) are fully stackable with solar if you're doing a broader upgrade — and SEAI recommends insulating before you generate.
• Farmers and businesses have separate routes: TAMS supports for farms and the non-domestic microgen scheme for businesses.

The three ways people lose their grant

1. Starting work before the Letter of Offer

   Permanently ineligible, no exceptions. Get approval first, always.

2. Using an unregistered installer

   The company must be on the SEAI register on the date of works. Every installer in our network is.

3. Missing the deadline

   You have 8 months from your Letter of Offer to complete works and submit the paperwork.