SEAI Grants

SEAI has announced a grant scheme for retrofitting solar PV to houses built before 2011. The grant is substantial at €700 per kw of solar panel installed and an extra €1000 for battery storage. This is a game changing grant for Irish households as it makes solar pv a realistic option for normal houses in Ireland. If you would like to generate your own clean electricity please get in touch.

SOLAR PV GRANT HIGHLIGHTS

1. 1. Houses built before 2011 are eligible 
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3. 2. €700 per kw grant funding available
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5. 3. 4 kW solar pv systems are the maximum size that will be grant funded
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7. 4. Solar PV Systems up to 2 kW do not need battery storage to receive grant funding (€1400)
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9. 5. Solar PV Systems above 2 kW have to install battery storage to receive extra grant funding above €1400.  i.e €1400 is the maximum grant without using batteries.
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11. 6. Battery Storage is grant aided by €1000
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13. 7. Solar PV systems with over 7 panels will require planning permission.  Check with your county council what your obligations are.

Solar SEAI Grant based on average number of occupants

The measures are completed based on the average number of people that could live in a home of your size, rather than the actual number of occupants. If enough collectors are not installed this may result in non-payment of the grant. It is important that this compliance check is carried out by an SEAI registered Contractor, before work begins.

GRANT FOR SOLAR PV BATTERY STORAGE

Solar PV systems bigger than 2 kW will need to install a battery to qualify for the grant funds. The bettery element of the install is worth an extra €1000 on top of the €700 per kW for the solar panels. People with existing PV systems can also apply for the battery grant if they want to add storage. The grant covers a lot of the hardware costs in many cases so is well worth looking at.

The grant has been widely welcomed by all those involved in the solar panel industry.  A long time coming it is a first step towards regaining the trust and support of local communities interested in installing solar panels.

It is estimated that 500,000 homes, 50,000 businesses, and 75,000 farms have suitable roof space to deliver up to 250mW electricity per year from roof-top Solar panel installations.  The solar panels grant will help in moving towards this but a feed in tarrif is the ultimate requirement for a healthy economic environment for solar panel promotion.

SOLAR PANELS PAYBACK

Solar PV panels that produce electricity is a proven technology. The output is predictable and cost levels are more than attractive when compared to fossil fuels.  Current payback for solar panel installations can be as low as seven and eight years in Ireland.  This can be further reduced to five years with sufficient Government support.

Most importantly the solar panels grant will empower communities by supporting households and businesses to immediately install solar panels and thereby contribute to Ireland’s climate change targets.  This will also reduce our exposure to expensive fines for missing our climate change targets.

GRANT FOR SOLAR THERMAL PANELS

There is a substantial grant available from the SEAI for installing solar panels for heating water.  The grants for solar panels are worth €1200 off the solar panels price - this is a fantastic deal and can bring the cost of installing solar panels down to the €3000 region.