The Irish government has a target of upgrading 500,000 homes to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard, by 2030. Now is the time to apply for their energy upgrade grants – available for solar panels, wall insulation and heat pumps.
More than 24,000 Irish homes are already generating electricity from solar PV panels and researchers from the MaREI Centre in University College Cork have estimated that one million Irish homes have the potential to take up to six solar PV panels.
If you’re thinking of switching to solar energy, as well as availing of a government grant of up to €3,000, once your solar panels are installed you can sell your power back to the national grid from July 2022.
Below, we’ve compiled some helpful information on solar panel grants – including how you can apply for one and how much you could save.
SEAI Solar PV Grant
Homeowners can apply for a one-off grant for the purchase and installation of Solar PV panels and/or the purchase of a battery energy storage system for their home. Solar PV panels produce electricity. There is a different kind of grant for solar thermal panels, which produce hot water. To find out more about the different kinds of solar panels and how they work, read our complete guide to solar panels, here.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the home energy grants, which includes funding for solar panels. Read our blog here to understand the energy rating of your home.
Solar PV Grant Amounts
The maximum grant amount you can receive for the purchase and installation of PV panels and a battery storage system is currently €3,000.
The SEAI calculates the grant based on the size of the panels. A kWp, or kilowatt-peak, is the amount of power produced by your solar panels.
- 2kWp or 6 Panels: €1,800. You can get a grant of €900 per kWp up to a maximum of 2kWp. This means if you purchase 2kWp or 6 solar panels, you can receive a maximum grant of €1,800. If you purchase a battery, you can receive an additional €600, bringing the grant to €2,400.
- 3kWp or 9 Panels: €2,100. You can also receive €300 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp. This means if you purchase 3kWp or 9 solar panels, you can receive a maximum of €2,100 plus €600 toward your battery, bringing the grant to €2,700.
- 4kWp or 12 Panels: €2,400. If you purchase 4kWp or 12 solar panels, you can receive a maximum of €2,400. If you purchase a batter you will receive an additional €600, bringing the grant to €3,000.
Solar Thermal Panel Grant
If you want solar thermal panels, which produce hot water instead of electricity, you will need to apply for a separate grant. The SEAI offer a maximum of €1,200 toward the purchase and installation of solar thermal panels. Check out the SEAI’s website for more information.
How can I Apply for a Solar panel Grant?
Individual Application
If you want to manage the grant application and project yourself, you can apply to the SEAI directly, through their ‘Individual Energy Upgrade Grant’ option. You will need to pay for the work upfront, and will be reimbursed the relevant amount.
There are certain criteria you will need to meet before getting a grant. For PV and thermal panels, they include being the owner of a property built and occupied before 2021, using new materials and work that meets a certain standard, using a contractor from the SEAI’s registered list and getting a BER after the work is done using a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register.
Need a Loan?
If you need a loan to help fund energy efficient improvements to your home, talk to us.
- Call: 061 382111
- Email: loans@bruffcu.ie
- Click here to apply online
Figures taken from Credit Union article, 15.07.22.