FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our advisors can help you with SEAI grant, technical information, or a free quote for Solar PV system.

SEAI GRANT INFORMATION

Do I qualify for the Solar Electricity Grant?

The SEAI is offering a solar grant of up to €2,100 towards the installation of solar PV panels. The grant is available to all owners of dwellings built and occupied before December 2020 and where the SEAI have not previously provided support for solar PV system at that address.

What to consider before applying for the Solar Electricity Grant?

There are a number of things to consider before applying for the grant, such as if you’ll need planning permission and whether you should insulate your home first.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

You do not need planning permission to install solar panels at your home as long as you meet certain conditions. However, ask your local authority for guidance about planning permission if:

  • Your home is a protected structure
  • You home is located in a protected area, for example, an architectural conservation area
How much is the grant?

The grant you get depends on the peak output of your solar system. Peak output is measured in kWp, which is kilowatt-peak. You get:

  • €800 per kWp for up 2kWp
  • €250 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp

    This means you will get:

    • €800 for 1kWp
    • €1,600 for 2kWp
    • €1,850 for 3kWp
    • €2,100 for 4kWp

    The grant is capped at €2,100.

    The grant covers materials and labour, unless you are a contractor doing the work in your own home. In this case, only the cost of the materials is covered.

    If the cost of the systems and labour (including VAT) is less than the maximum grant amount, you will get a grant for the actual cost.

    Note: You are only eligible for the grant once.

How to apply for the Solar Electricity Grant?

You can apply for the Solar PV Scheme online or by post. If applying by post, you should contact the SEAI to get an application form and send it back to them – see ‘Where to apply’ below.

When applying for the grant, you need to provide details about the installation, including the size of the system to be installed. You also need to provide your address and the MPRN number from your electricity bill, the year your house was built and the name of the registered company you intend to use.

You must receive approval for the grant before you start installing your solar panels. When you receive approval, you have 8 months to complete the works. The work must be finished before you can get your grant payment and you must have either paid your contractor or agreed a payment plan with them.

Q&A

What are solar panels?

Solar panels are devices that use sunlight to generate hot water, or electricity to power electrical devices in your home.

  • Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels generate electricity when exposed to light. Solar PV is the rooftop solar you see on homes and businesses.
  • Solar panels that produce hot water are known as solar thermal collectors or solar hot water collectors.

This Solar Electricity Grant focuses on PV, where solar electric panels capture the light from the sun and convert it into the electricity that is used in your home to power your TV, kettle, toaster and so on. These panels are often mounted on the roof of your house or in the garden.

Does Ireland get enough sun for my solar panels to be efficient?

Yes! While Ireland does have fair amount of rain, solar PV systems generate electricity in daylight and still function effectively on overcast days. We  will ensure your solar PV is properly located to max your Solar PV Generation. A 3KW system should generate approx 2600 kWh of electricity per year. Your Solar PV will generate power even on days when the sun is not shining. Solar PV panels work of solar radiance so even on cloudy days they will still produce electricity. On days where we have clear blue skies, PV panels will produce more but when sizing a system we take cloudy days and your orientation into account to ensure maximum efficiency.

What is the cost of solar PV installation?

The cost of your installation will depend on the amount of electricity you consume. How much of your consumption you can oddset and the structure and type of your roof.

How long does it take to install Solar Panels?

Most domestic Solar Panel installations take no more than a day with minimum disruption. The majority of the work will typically take place on the roof, in your attic and at your fuse board. Our skilled team of fully qualified roofers will install the mounting system on the roof, then the panels to the mounting system. Our Electricians will then connect the cables from the panels to the shutdown device, from here the cables are wired to the inverter, where the power is transformed from DC into AC. At this point, the A/C power is then fed to your Fuseboard. 

What are benefits of solar energy?

Each solar panel that is installed can save up to 100kg of CO2 per year.  This reduces our emissions from using electricity and makes a big difference to the environment. When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the utility rates and you maximising the use of your panels directly into your home, but going solar is a smart investment regardless of where you live. It also increases the BER rating of your home, which in turn can potentially increase the value of your home.

It also “offsets” the carbon produced from activities such as air travel.

How long will my solar PV system last?

In general, solar panels are very durable and capable of withstanding snow, wind, and hail. The various components of your solar power system will need to be replaced at different times, but your system should continue to generate electricity for 25 to 35 years.