SEAI solar grants in 2026, explained

How much is the grant?

The grant is calculated from your system size in kilowatt-peak (kWp):

So a typical 4 kWp+ domestic system (roughly 9–10 panels) gets the full €1,800; a small 3 kWp system would get €1,600. After several years of scheduled €300-per-year cuts, 2026 is the first year the maximum hasn't been reduced — but the published plan is for it to keep tapering in future years, so waiting generally means a smaller grant.

Who qualifies?

• You own the home (owner-occupied or landlord).
• The house was built and occupied before 31 December 2020.
• The work is done by an SEAI-registered installer using new equipment.
• The home hasn't already received a solar PV grant.
• A BER assessment is completed after the work (arranged as part of the process; most installers organise it for you).

How to apply — the actual steps

1. Get quotes first. Compare SEAI-registered installers — the grant only applies if your installer is on the register, and written quotes are free.
2. Apply online at SEAIbefore installation. You'll need your MPRN (the number on your electricity bill) and your chosen installer's details. Approval is usually quick, and the grant offer is then valid for 8 months.
3. Install. Your installer fits the system and registers the connection with ESB Networks (the NC6 microgeneration form) so you can export surplus power.
4. Get the post-works BER from a registered assessor.
5. Submit the payment requestwith the paperwork — the grant is paid to you (or deducted from the installer's bill, depending on the arrangement) typically within a few weeks.

Savings that stack on top of the grant

• 0% VAT. Since May 2023 the supply and installation of solar panels on private homes carries zero VAT — already reflected in quoted prices.
• Export payments (Clean Export Guarantee). Suppliers must pay you for surplus electricity you send to the grid. In 2026 rates run roughly 15c–25c per kWh depending on supplier, with most large suppliers around 18.5c–19.5c — worth a few hundred euro a year for a typical home, and worth comparing when switching supplier.
• No planning permission needed for rooftop solar on most houses (exemptions since October 2022, with limited exceptions such as near-airport zones and protected structures).

One thing there is no longer a grant for: batteries. The SEAI battery grant was discontinued in 2022, so weigh battery storage on its own economics (it typically adds €2,000–€4,000 and pays back through night-rate charging and higher self-consumption).

What does that leave to pay?

Installers price per-home, but published figures for a typical 4–5 kWp system generally land in the €7,000–€11,000 range before the grant — so roughly €5,200–€9,200 after it. See real figures captured from installer sites on our price explorer, each linked to its source.