TABLE OF CONTENTS

Before you begin: The purpose of this article is to cover everything a homeowner in Ireland needs to know before they go solar. We discuss how the panels work, the technology involved, estimated installation costs, the grants available, the investment returns, optional addons, and much more.

After you finish reading, you’ll know everything you need to make an informed solar purchasing decision. 

TECHNOLOGY

1. How solar works

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. The light hitting the semiconductor material in the solar cells causes electrons to become excited and generate an electric current.   

Solar cells are connected together into a single unit, and they are wired up together to create a solar PV system.

Solar energy is then routed through the inverter to be used in your home or business, stored in a battery, or sent to the grid if not otherwise being used.

2. Solar components

There are four primary components in any residential solar power system: 

The solar panels are the photovoltaic modules mounted on a building’s roof, responsible for generating electricity.

There are 3 things to be on the lookout for when reviewing your solar panels.

  • Price: Consider the price per panel and for the wattage of the panel.
  • Efficiency: Modern panels have an efficiency between 18% – 24%. Anything over 22.5% is considered excellent performance.
  • Warranty: Most panels have a 25-30 year warranty, if the performance of any panel dips below a certain operating percentage (usually 85-90%), then the panel is considered defective and will be replaced.

Most Popular Brands

There are dozens of manufacturers on the market for solar panels offering different price points and performance levels. Our top picks for solar panel efficiency, quality, reliability and price are

This is far from an exhaustive list of solar brands, and what is important is that you know what the warranties and other specifications are. This is something that an installer should share with you.

Rooftop mounting racks are relatively simple and consist of rails which are fixed to the roof, and have the solar panels securely connected. They may alter the angle of the solar panels slightly, but not by much.

More complicated solar mounting systems are needed for flat-roof or ground-mounted solar panels.

Your solar inverter takes the electricity created by your solar panels and converts it from Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC) power which can be used in your home.

In practice, there are 2 choices of inverter:

String Inverter Hybrid Inverter
Price Cheapest More Expensive
Battery Compatible ❌ ✅
Backup Power Compatible ❌ ✅

Your inverter will have a lifespan of roughly 10 – 15 years, so it will wear out more quickly than your solar panels. Whichever inverter you choose, you should be looking for a total warranty of 10+ years on this component.

Most Popular Brands

The most common trusted brands of solar inverters used by installers in Ireland are:

Company String Inverter Hybrid Inverter Warranties
Solis ✅ ✅ 5 Years
Huawei ❌ ✅ 5 Years
Sigenergy ✅ ✅ 10 Years

A solar monitoring system is a software system (usually a smartphone app) which allows you to monitor energy production by your solar panels, and should also tell you about the energy consumption in your home.

Your solar installer will most likely use a monitoring system offered by the same brand as the solar inverter they install.

A solar monitoring system can allow you to see how you use electricity and compare it with your solar panels’ output in a simple and engaging way. This lets users alter their habits to maximise their savings.

Many solar monitoring systems will also have features such as controlling any solar battery or EV charger connected to the system.

here are also other components that can be added to a solar energy system to boost its effectiveness.

  • Solar Battery: A battery storage system stores solar energy to be used later. (more on solar batteries below)
  • Power Diverter: A power diverter takes power made by solar PV and uses it to heat the immersion and create hot water.
  • Isolation Switch: An isolation switch can cut your home off from the grid and allow the solar system to operate independently.
  • EV Charger: Many home EV chargers can run off solar energy to power your electric car, but not all.

FINANCIALS

3. Solar panel grants

The SEAI offers solar grants up to €1,800 for residential solar panels in 2025 under the Solar PV Scheme.

The vast majority of homeowners in Ireland will qualify the full amount if they choose to install solar, and almost all applications are approved.

A small solar array comprising 4 to 8 panels qualifies for between €1,232 and €1,700.

The average home solar system – between 12 and 14 panels – qualifies for the full €1,800 grant.

Larger solar arrays comprising over 16 panels qualify for the full SEAI home solar grant of €1,800.

Note: Once you have selected an installer, they will manage the grant application on your behalf.

4. Solar installation cost

The cost of solar has dropped significantly in the past 5 years, and 2025 could be the cheapest they’ll ever be. With SEAI grants set to fall by €300 next year and intense competition among installers driving prices down, it’s a great time to go solar.

Hot Take 🔥 Our experts believe we’re hitting the bottom of the cost curve, and that 2025 will be the cheapest time to go solar in Ireland.

Indirect Cost ⚠️ While the upfront cost of going solar remains a key consideration, we must also bear in mind that Ireland has among the highest energy bills in Europe. This means that households without solar panels are paying the price of increased energy bills.

Installing more panels is more cost-effective due to economies of scale, but for some homeowners with limited roof space, a smaller system of between 4 to 8 panels may be their only option.

Estimated Cost €4,800 – €5,500
Annual Savings €462 – €690
Payback Period 7 – 8 Years

The average number of rooftop panels installed by homeowners in Ireland is 13. Solar PV systems of between 12 and 14 panels typically generate enough electricity to cover over 75% of the electricity expenses for most households.

Estimated Cost €7,400 to €8,000
Annual Savings €1,380 – €1,630
Payback Period 5 – 6 Years

For homes with higher electricity costs and adequate roof space, a larger solar panel system of over 7kWp (16 to 18 panels) makes financial and practical sense. These larger systems not only produce more electricity, but they are also more cost-effective as the effective cost per panel installed is much lower.

Estimated Cost €8,700 to €9,000
Annual Savings €1,880 – €2,130
Payback Period < 5 Years

5. Is solar a good investment?

If you own home, solar is one of the smartest investments you can make today. Over the 30-year lifespan of solar panels, the investment returns are sizable, and the investment risks are extremely low.

Solar panels offer guaranteed, long-term financial returns, with a massive ROI compared to other investments or interest on savings. For instance, a homeowner with an array of 16 panels can expect to see a return of €56,536 over 30 years – compared to €26,622 if they invested in the S&P 500.

Solar PV is a unique asset, as the ROI on solar is based on a reduction in your expenditure (instead of income), this makes solar an extremely tax efficient investment.

Additional Tax Break☀️ You can receive tax-free income of up to €400 from selling solar electricity back to the national grid.

It is essential that power generated isn’t wasted to maximise your returns. Using a battery for later home consumption is the best way to max out your self consumption, but any other power that isn’t used is fed back to the grid, which you will be paid for through feed-in tariffs.

Selling Energy ⚡ If you’re not at home, or don’t use all the energy you produce, your electricity supplier pays ups to 25c per kWh.

PROCESS

6. Choosing the best installer

Choosing the right installer is more than just going for the cheapest option. This is an investment for life, and selecting the right partner is crucial. In our experience, paying for quality workmanship, components and aftercare is always worth a little extra cost.

Companies must maintain a 85% or higher customer satisfaction rating to be allowed on the EnergyEfficiency platform. We include each companies Google Reviews on their profile for you to consider.

All installers must provide at least 2 years of workmanship warranty to be allowed on the EnergyEfficiency platform. We make sure that all installers are using recognised brands for all installation components, but we strongly encourage all our customers to check (and double check) their contracts before installation begins to make sure the component warranties and workmanship warranties are included in writing.

All installers must be fully SEAI approved. This means they are fully insured, and that you can claim the €1,800 residential solar grant.

The installers on EnergyEfficiency represent the absolute best installers in Ireland, and they will always be priced competitively. But having a second quote is always a good idea, and it can be used to get an even better deal with your preferred supplier.

Pro Tip 💪 Don’t be afraid to haggle a bit. The first price generally has some leeway, especially if you’re paying upfront (without finance) and you are willing to sign the contracts fast. Why not try “I will pay today if you can include a 5% discount”.

7. Solar batteries

A single solar battery generally has 5kW in capacity, and is designed to store significant amounts of power for use in your home. This stored power can then be used in the evening or night when the panels are no longer producing electricity, so it’s particularly useful for people who have high energy demands outside of daylight hours. 

Whether or not it is worthwhile to get a solar battery added to your home will depend on how many solar panels you have installed, along with how much electricity you use, and when.

  • Reduced Energy Costs – Storing daytime solar for use at night is more efficient than selling to the grid during daylight hours, and buying back in the evening.
  • Cheap Night Rates – You can charge a battery from the electricity grid at night when rates are cheaper to use during the day.
  • Blackout Protection – A solar battery can potentially provide power during an outage if your house is isolated from the grid.

A solar battery will typically add approximately €1,700 – €3,000 to the price of a solar PV system in Ireland.

There are many brands of solar battery manufacturers on the market, but the most commonly used in Ireland are:

Before you go: We hope you found this guide helpful, and if you need help finding a top-rated solar installer, you can do so here. Our goal is for this guide is to provide all the tools you need to make an informed decision on installing solar on your home.

We’ve included some frequently asked questions below and our team of solar enthusiasts are available if you would like any specific advice / guidance, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

8. FAQs

To cover 75% of your electricity demand, you’ll likely need at least 10 to 12 panels, however this depends on your electricity consumption.

Yes, solar panels can increase your BER rating, which is extremely attractive to potential buyers.

No, unless you live in a listed building, solar installations are exempt from planning permission.

Pinergy currently offers the best feed-in tariff for exported electricity, at 25c per kWh.

No, there is very little maintenance required for solar – they may just need occasional cleaning.

You will need to have a smart meter if you wish to get paid for selling excess electricity.

Solar PV panels don’t heat water directly, as they make electricity, but you can link your system to a hot water diverter to heat your tank.

Have another question? Ask us here