- What is the Solar Electricity Grant?
- How much can you claim?
- How do you know if you're eligible?
- How do you apply for the Solar Electricity Grant?
- What is the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland?
- 0% VAT on solar panels
- How much can I save through 0% VAT?
- Solar water heating grant
- Can I get solar power grants if I live in Northern Ireland?
- Summary
- Irish residents can get help to install solar panels from the government
- The Solar PV Scheme can be applied for online
- You’ll need to get a solar photovoltaic (PV) installer in place first
- You then have eight months to complete the installation to get the grant
- As a bonus, solar PV also qualifies for 0% VAT in Ireland
One of the best ways to save money on your electrical bills while also doing your bit for the environment is to install solar panels in your home. While expensive initially, solar panels will pay for themselves in the long run through savings you make on electricity you don’t pay for.
Thankfully, like others worldwide, the Irish Government has launched solar grants and incentives to make the cost a little bit more bearable. So, if you live in Ireland and want to upgrade your home with solar panels, this article has all the information you need to get help applying.
So, let’s find out how.
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland – credit Sean Kuriyan / Unsplash
What is the Solar Electricity Grant?
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland‘s (SEAI) Solar PV Grant, sometimes called the “Solar Electricity Grant,” is designed to support Irish homeowners looking to install solar PV panels on their properties. The grant aims to help cover the costs associated with installing solar PV systems, making solar energy a more accessible and affordable option for the masses.
How much can you claim?
The amount you can claim through the scheme depends on the size of your installation. Depending on the system’s kWp output, you can get up to a maximum of €1,800 (down from €2,100 in 2024) from the SEAI’s allocated fund through the Solar PV Grant.
Grant approvals are valid for exactly eight months, so once approved, you shouldn’t hesitate to start the work.
The sooner you start the process, the better, as the PV installation company and surveyors must also submit the necessary paperwork before this deadline.
How do you know if you’re eligible?
To qualify for the grant, you must own a home built and occupied before 31st December 2020 and ensure that a qualified and registered contractor carries out the installation. Your home must also have not previously received any SEAI grants for solar PV.
The grant will only be accepted if the solar PV installation has not started, and you mustn’t have bought any PV materials yet. In other words, it cannot be applied retroactively for currently actioned or completed works.
Like any grant, it is also a good idea to check SEAI’s official website or contact them directly for the most current details and to understand all the specific terms and conditions associated with the Solar PV Grant.
How do you apply for the Solar Electricity Grant?
As advised by the SEAI, you should first find a solar PV installation company. Once that is done, you can officially begin the application process.
To do this, you can visit the official grant application page.
Once there, you will be guided through the application process using the online form. Note that you will need an email address to set up an account and to get the ball rolling.
That being said, you can also apply using a paper-based application form. You must know your full address and bank account’s IBAN and BIC for either application process.
For reference, an IBAN, or International Bank Account Number, is a unique identifier for a bank account that’s used globally. It’s used to make and receive international payments. A BIC (Bank Identifier Code), sometimes called SWIFT codes, is another unique code that identifies a bank for international transactions.
You’ll also need your electrical meter’s Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). This is the 11-digit number found at the top of your electricity bill.
You will also need to know, roughly or precisely, the build date of your home. The application will also need to know the name of your chosen solar PV installation company (hence, finding them first) and the intended size of the solar PV system you want to install (your chosen PV installer will be able to tell you this).
What is the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland?
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is a government organization that promotes and facilitates the growth of sustainable energy throughout Ireland. Its mission is clear: improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy sources, and reduce carbon emissions.
To this end, the SEAI is a key player in shaping the future of energy in Ireland. The organization can help Irish citizens by providing guidance and assistance in transitioning to cleaner energy solutions.
One of the SEAI’s main focuses is promoting the country’s adoption of solar energy. For this reason, the agency offers several incentives to encourage both residential and commercial adoption of solar energy technologies.
These initiatives include grants, detailed guidance, and technical support to make solar installations more accessible and affordable for everyone. One of the flagship SEAI schemes is the Solar Electricity Grant.
This is explicitly designed to help homeowners who want to install solar PV panels. The grant aims to help with the upfront costs of purchasing and installing PV systems, making solar power a more viable option for a wider population.
The SEAI also offers valuable resources on best installation and maintenance practices and advice on maximizing the efficiency and benefits of solar energy systems.
For businesses, the SEAI provides customized solutions that assist in incorporating solar power into existing energy systems, complementing the energy efficiency measures already in place.
0% VAT on solar panels
One of the coolest things about the Solar PV grant, or solar PV installations in general, is that the work attracts a 0% value-added tax (VAT) incentive. This will immediately save you 13% (the previous VAT rate) of the total cost.
This was first launched in May of 2023 and can only be claimed in a single contract of works or invoice from the installation company.
For obvious reasons, the incentive’s idea is to promote the adoption of solar PV uptake by Irish nationals further. 13% savings is not to be sniffed at, and the savings can be substantial for high-ticket-value objects like solar PV installations.
How much can I save through 0% VAT?
As you can imagine, an immediate 13% savings on a solar PV installation can add up to considerable savings. While the total you’d save depends on the system’s size, it could be as much as €1,000.
Let’s assume a 2-kWp system would cost at least €6,000 to give you an idea of the savings involved. Based on this (though note the initial cost could be more depending on the system installed), you’d previously have to pay €780 in VAT.
To get the 0% VAT benefit, you’ll need to submit the final invoice from your PV installer once the work is complete. In most cases, the invoice will likely reflect the 0% VAT, given the nature of the job anyway.
Considering you can then get €0.25c per KWh for selling back excess electricity, this immediate saving and regular income from your investment will reduce the payback period for installation over time.
“This will result in a significant reduction in the installation cost for households and, I believe, will encourage more people to use this innovative technology,” explains Michael McGrath, Irish Minister for Finance.
While this move will help consumers, it will also help the environment.
“50,000 homes have solar panels, with 17,000 solar installations connecting to the grid, which [occurred] just last year. This is expected to increase further as prices come down and solar becomes more mainstream,” Irish Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan added.
Solar water heating grant
Like solar PV systems, solar water heating (technically called solar thermal systems) is also eligible for SEAI grants. As the name suggests, these systems use the sun’s power to heat water for your home.
A typical system will be designed to provide at least 50% of your annual hot water needs. In most cases, these systems will require a specially designed solar water hot water cylinder to store the heated water in your home and prepare it for use.
These can be standalone or, as is usually the case, a mixed cylinder for solar-heated water and a traditional hot water tank connected to your boiler. Such systems can considerably reduce the cost of producing (and maintaining) hot water for your home.
Homeowners, including private landlords, whose homes were constructed and occupied before 2021 can apply for the grant. The eligibility criteria are based on the electricity meter installation date.
It is important to note that this criterion differs from other grant measures, which require the home to have been built before 2011. Some technical compliance checks are needed before being accepted for the grant, but a registered and qualified installer will be able to guide you through this process.
If deemed eligible, the SEAI can offer €1,200 towards installing solar water heating.
Can I get solar power grants if I live in Northern Ireland?
In short, no. Northern Ireland is not part of the Republic of Ireland, so residents cannot access the Republic of Ireland government grants or schemes. Please check our guide to government solar panel grants in the UK for more information.
That being said, businesses in Northern Ireland can apply for funding to cover 20% of a solar panel installation. Also, as of May 1st, 2023, solar panels, like in the Republic of Ireland, attract a 0% VAT incentive.
However, they may be able to get some advice from Northern Irish Energy about cutting their energy bills and using solar energy.
Summary
- Solar panels are a great way to save money and reduce your environmental footprint over time.
- The SEAI Solar Electricity Grant makes solar installations more accessible for Irish homeowners.
- 0% VAT on solar panel installations offers immediate savings and a faster return on investment.
- Grants for solar water heating systems provide additional options for energy efficiency.
- Northern Ireland residents have separate schemes and incentives to explore solar adoption.
