Check out the residential solar grants available from the government to support you with solar panel installation – plus, how to apply.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Here’s something to brighten your day: as a homeowner, you can receive up to €1,800 towards the cost of solar panel installation! With long-term savings on energy bills, increased freedom from utility companies, plus the chance to sell whatever electricity you don’t use, it’s a great time to make the switch.
Soak up the savings
Want to join over 120,000 Irish homeowners who’ve already installed Solar PV? The forecast looks good: now you can expect lower bills, less stress, and more control over your energy use.
As well as cutting your electricity bills in half, less reliance on fossil fuels means you can create a more comfortable, energy-efficient space to live. (And if you work from home, you can reduce those overheads, too!)
Use your Solar PV system to power key appliances in your home – and if you install a solar battery, you can save energy for power cuts, rainy days, or peak energy tariff times (morning and evening) to lower your bills further.
While installing solar panels can involve a significant upfront investment, you’ll be reaping the sunny benefits of solar energy for years to come.
5 solar grants for homes in Ireland
If you’re interested in saving around €1,100 off your annual electricity bill, installing Solar PV panels is a solution that makes sense. Especially since right now, the government is offering plenty of financial support for your journey. (Psst…This support is set to ease off over the coming years – check the SEAI website for updates – so don’t miss your chance!)
Here are 5 of the best solar panel grants for homeowners in Ireland right now.
1. SEAI Domestic Solar PV Grant (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
This grant helps homeowners install Solar PV panels, so they can generate their own renewable electricity. As of January 2025, the amount available dropped from €2,100 to €1,800, as part of a planned reduction in SEAI support. The government plans to reduce this grant allowance by a further €300 each year – so it’s a good idea to apply sooner rather than later!
Homeowners who are eligible for this grant will have 8 months to complete installation after the grant has been approved. In addition to the support available for solar panel installation, the SEAI offers a range of home energy upgrades, which we’ll detail below.
Whatever grant you’re applying for, Caldor Solar can help you with the application process, removing the stress of paperwork and waiting times to bring you a more energy-efficient, cost-effective home. Meaning you get the best grant – or grants – for your household’s needs, the maximum grant aid possible, and the wheels set in motion smoothly and seamlessly.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your home must have been built and occupied before 31st December, 2020.
- Solar panels must be fitted by an SEAI-registered installer (like Caldor Solar).
- Works must meet the SEAI’s required standards.
2. National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shop)
This upgrade scheme offers a range of services for homeowners to improve their energy efficiency. Starting with a home energy assessment, which includes a detailed report, homeowners can then follow the recommended measures to improve their BER (Building Energy Rating), using an assigned contractor to carry out the works.
The service includes grant application: with the values detected upfront from the cost of the project. After the works have been carried out, a follow-up BER assessment will award homeowners with a certificate stating their new rating.
Although grant values will vary depending on the project, all eligible homeowners can receive a standalone grant of €350 for the home energy assessment. Whether or not they choose to act on its findings is up to them.
If they want to proceed with any or all of the energy upgrades, they can apply for a wide range of grants: including ones for heating systems, ventilation, insulation and yes, solar technology. Some One Stop Shops offer further financing options for the upgrades, or government-backed loans are available, too.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your home must have been built and occupied before 2011.
- It has an existing BER of B3 or lower…and achieves a minimum rating of B2 after the works.
- You haven’t received any previous grants for the same home energy upgrades.
3. Electric Vehicle (EV) Home Charging Grant
Ok, so technically this isn’t a solar panel grant for homeowners – but it can be used alongside your Solar PV system for further savings. So if you’re looking at the other support options on this page, it’s worth applying for, too.
Even if you don’t own an electric vehicle yourself, you can still receive a grant of up to €300 for installing an electric vehicle charging point on your property (whether you live there or you’re a third party acting on behalf of a resident). This point can be used by visitors, or tenants (if you’re the landlord of the property) and can be run off the energy generated by solar panels, too.
Eligibility Criteria
- Electric vehicles must be parked on an off-street parking location associated with your home – and the charger must be connected back to your premises.
- Homeowners must use a Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor to install the unit.
- Smart chargers must be registered on the SEAI’s Smart Charger Register.
4. Individual Energy Upgrades (Better Energy Homes)
These upgrades include the One Stop Shop service, plus a wide range of measures that may appeal to homeowners and private landlords alike.
According to the SEAI, this step-by-step approach gives homeowners greater flexibility, so they can carry out different upgrades over time. This might also be a more suitable option for those with limited budgets, for whom the investment required for solar panel installation might just not be possible.
The available grants include small and large upgrades such as: attic and wall insulation, heating controls (up to €700), heat pump systems, solar thermal/solar water heating systems (up to €1,700) and, as we’ve outlined, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (up to €1,800).
Eligibility Criteria
- Homes must be built and occupied before 2011 for insulation and heating control grants
- Homes must be built and occupied before 2021 for heat pumps and renewable systems
- See the SEAI for further criteria of these individual grants
5. Fully Funded Energy Upgrades (Warmer Homes Scheme)
Co-funded by the Irish government (SEAI) and the European Union, this scheme entitles eligible homeowners to receive meaningful upgrades to their home for free.
It’s designed for homeowners who are receiving eligible welfare payments: for instance, if you have been receiving Job Seekers’ Allowance for more than six months and you have a child under seven. Homes must have been built and occupied before 2006 and the works in question must have been recommended by an SEAI surveyor.
Recent updates to the scheme mean that the SEAI will now support renewable heating systems, like a heat pump – but not the installation of oil or gas boilers. This applies to homes surveyed from January 1st, 2025.
The free upgrades you can avail of include: attic and wall insulation, renewable heating systems, plus secondary work like draught proofing and energy-efficient lighting. Note, the SEAI states a 2-year waiting period before completion: so like the other grants we mention, best to apply soon!
Eligibility Criteria
- You must own and live in the premises in question – ie, it’s your main residence.
- Your home must have been built and occupied before 2006, connected to the ESB meter.
- You are in receipt of one of the following welfare payments:
- Fuel Allowance
- Job Seekers Allowance (6+ months – and have a child under seven years of age)
- Working Family Payment
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carers Allowance (and live with the person you are caring for)
- Disability Allowance (6+ months – and have a child under seven years of age)
How to apply for a residential solar panel grant
Although there are plenty of support options out there to help homeowners choose renewable energy sources, it can be hard to know where to start…or even which grant to apply for!
At Caldor Solar, we can help you work out which grant makes sense for your household – based on how much energy you use, how you use it, plus factors like your home’s design and location. With a free individual home assessment, advice on which grant would suit your needs, plenty of help with the application process, and ongoing technical support, we’ll make your transition to clean energy as smooth as possible.
For instance, applying for a solar grant might look like this:
Step 1: Get a quote
Chat to us to answer a few questions about your home, to arrange your free assessment, and to get a zero-obligations quote.
Step 2: Apply for grant
If you work with Caldor Solar, we can advise you on applying for the most suitable grant for your needs. We can help you with the paperwork, plus we’ll deduct the grant allowance from the cost of installation.
Step 3: Prepare for installation
At Caldor Solar, we’ve been installing over 6,000 Solar PV systems on homes around the country since 2015. Whatever option you choose, we’ll have you set up with a great-quality system in no time.
Step 4: We contact the SEAI
We’ll give you the relevant energy upgrade documents – then we’ll submit electronic copies to the SEAI/governing body on your behalf.
Step 5: SEAI processes claim
All that’s left is to enjoy the benefits of sustainable energy: like lower bills, more comfort and greater energy independence, long into the future.
To find out more about saving with solar – and the grants that can support you – call us on 01 253 3349 or message us below.
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About Caldor Solar
Caldor Solar are one of Ireland’s top solar energy companies, leading the industry since 2015. We’ve installed over 6,000 PV systems across the country: helping farms, businesses and communities make the simple switch to solar energy generation.
Our mission is simple: to help our customers save money while gaining energy independence – and to help Ireland reach Net Zero.
Why choose us?
Trust
SEAI-registered, industry leaders since 2015. Our work is fully accredited and many of our products include a 25-year performance warranty.
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We offer ongoing maintenance and technical support, far beyond installation.
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FAQs
What is Solar PV?
Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels convert sunlight into renewable energy…for free electricity! An inverter within the PV system converts the sun’s DC power into usable AC electricity, which you can draw upon to power key appliances, to heat water or to charge your EV. Some people choose to install a storage battery too, so they can save their energy for the times of day when they need it most. Whatever way you use it, Solar PV paves the way towards lower electricity bills, more control over your energy consumption and a more comfortable, sustainable, home or business.
What is the Solar Electricity Grant?
The Solar Electricity Grant is a one-time grant from the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), designed to lower the costs of installing solar panels for homeowners in Ireland. As of January 2025, the grant amount is capped at €1,800.
How many solar panels do I need?
It really does depend – on key factors like your premises’ design, orientation and location, plus how much energy your home, organisation or farm consumes. To give an example, a semi-detatched, 3-bedroom home in Ireland may need 10–12 panels to cover their energy needs. A business may need more while a farm may choose ground-mounted solar panels for their Solar PV system. It will look different for everyone: which is why it’s important to contact a reputable installation provider for an assessment of your needs and set-up.
How much will installation cost after my grant?
Again, it depends on factors like energy consumption, the system size you choose and the number of panels you can fit…plus, of course, whatever grant you’ve applied for! For a rough example, 10 panels with a 4.3 kW system from Caldor Solar costs around €5,600 after the grant has been applied – this includes a free assessment, all materials and labour, technical support and for us to handle the application process for you.
How can I apply for an SEAI grant?
Check out the SEAI website for all of your grant options. You can apply online or by post, but you must get approval from the SEAI before you start installation (and all works must be finished within 8 months of approval.) If the application process seems overwhelming, give our team a call on 01 25 333 49 – we can narrow down the ones that are most suitable for your needs, and take care of your application, too.
What should I consider before applying for a grant?
Think of any other energy upgrades you could make to your home or business first: like insulating the building, switching to LED bulbs and reviewing your own consumption to see how you can reduce energy costs. Finally, check if you’ll need planning permission to install solar panels and make sure the system size is appropriate for your needs. At Caldor Solar, we can advise you on the best fit to get your system working at its best, for longer.
Are there any conditions to receiving my grant payment?
Yes, as well as choosing an SEAI installation company and ensuring works are completed within 8 months of approval, your installation provider must produce the necessary documentation for grant claims. The SEAI will check if the installation has met their requirements before processing your payment via electronic funds transfer. Caldor Solar can make sure this process is as smooth and as straightforward as possible – with over a decade of experience in working with the SEAI, our professionalism and fast turnaround times are just two of our strong points!
