Feed-in Tariffs for Solar Panels in Ireland
Homeowners in Ireland can sell any unused electricity generated by their solar panels, through guaranteed prices that are commonly known as ‘feed-in tariffs’.
Feed-in tariffs, officially Clean Export Guarantee tariffs, are offered by electricity providers, allowing you to sell any spare solar electricity back to the grid.
The higher the feed-in tariff rate, the more beneficial it is for those with solar panels in Ireland, as they will earn more for any extra electricity generated.
The Best Feed-in Tariffs in 2025
The electricity provider with the best feed-in tariff in Ireland is Pinergy, at 25c per kWh. The next highest feed-in tariff – 20c per kWh – is offered by three energy suppliers: Community Power, Energia and Flogas.
Here is a full list of the best feed-in tariffs in Ireland in 2025, from highest to lowest:
| Electricity Supplier | Feed in Tariff |
|---|---|
| Pinergy | 25c per kWh |
| Energia | 20c per kWh |
| Flogas | 18.5c per kWh |
| Electric Ireland | 19.5c per kWh |
| SSE Airtricity | 19.5c per kWh |
| Bord Gais | 18.5c per kWh |
| Yuno Energy | 15.9c per kWh |
| Prepay Power | 15.9c per kWh |
*These rates are correct as of May 2025, and include VAT. Each rate is taken from the electricity provider’s official website.
Who pays you for surplus solar electricity?
Every electricity provider in Ireland is required to offer a Clean Export Guarantee for those who wish to sell unused electricity from renewable sources like solar or wind.
Although it sounds logical to simply choose the best rate, your feed-in tariff is determined by which company provides your electricity.
You can change providers, of course. However, it is unlikely you are producing a massive amount of surplus solar electricity to justify changing providers, unless you are also paying less for your electricity.
Every household is different and the feed-in tariff is something to take into account for those with solar panels when choosing the best electricity plan.
Eligibility for Selling Surplus Solar Electricity
Any household with surplus electricity from microgeneration such as solar panels or a wind turbine is eligible for the feed-in tariff.
The only requirement is that you must have a smart meter installed, if you are currently eligible for one.
If you are ineligible for a smart meter, you can still receive a payment for microgenerated electricity. But payments will be based on an estimate, which is known as the ‘deemed export quantity’.
Smart Meters for Microgen Payments
- If you have a smart meter installed already you can begin getting paid once your microgeneration system is connected and the NC6 or NC7 form has been processed to notify ESB Networks that it is connected to the grid.
If you are eligible for a smart meter and reject getting one installed, or have previously rejected you cannot be paid.
- If you request a smart meter to be installed you will only be paid from the date it is connected.
If you are not yet eligible for a smart meter yet then you will be paid for estimated exports which are calculated by the ESB Networks based on a formula set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
How much electricity from solar panels goes unused?
The amount of unused electricity generated by your solar panels depends on your PV system size and your electricity consumption.
A smaller solar set up of 2.5kWp (i.e. around 6 panels) is much more likely to see the majority of power it generates consumed in the home than a large 7kWp system (16 panels).
It also depends on how much electricity you use, and when you use it. A home where the occupants are away for much of the day, at work or at school, will see more energy exported compared to one where people are at home much of the day.
Households might export anywhere from 10% to 40% of the electricity generated by their solar panels depending on factors listed. If they wish to use this electricity themselves, they might consider installing a solar battery.
FAQs
Homeowners who do not wish to sell surplus electricity could invest in a solar battery to store it for later use in their homes. This may prove to be more lucrative than a feed-in tariff, but will come with an upfront installation cost.
Homeowners who do not wish to sell surplus electricity could invest in a solar battery to store it for later use in their homes. This may prove to be more lucrative than a feed-in tariff, but will come with an upfront installation cost.
Different electricity providers will pay the feed-in tariff differently. Some might credit it monthly, do it along with your billing cycle, or a fixed number of times a year.
Solar power systems up to 50kWp in size can get paid via the feed-in tariff, while those from 50kWp to 6MWp in size are paid a rate set by the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
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