The SEAI Solar Electricity (PV) Grant is the main support for homeowners installing solar panels in Ireland. In 2026 it’s worth up to €1,800. Here’s exactly how it’s calculated, who qualifies, and how to apply without tripping over the one rule that costs people the grant.
2026 grant at a glance
- €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp
- €200 per kWp for the 3rd and 4th kWp
- Maximum: €1,800 (reached at 4 kWp)
- Home built & occupied before 2021, valid MPRN, no prior PV grant at that MPRN
- Apply and get approval before you start
How the €1,800 is calculated
The grant is banded by system size (kWp):
| System size | Grant |
|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €700 |
| 2 kWp | €1,400 |
| 3 kWp | €1,600 |
| 4 kWp or more | €1,800 (maximum) |
So there’s no extra grant for going above 4 kWp — but a larger system can still make sense for your bills and export income.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the solar grant you generally need:
- A home that was built and occupied before 2021
- A valid MPRN (on your electricity bill)
- No previous solar PV grant claimed at that MPRN
- To use an SEAI-registered installer
- To apply and be approved before work starts
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm eligibility and get quotes from SEAI-registered installers.
- Apply online to SEAI for the solar PV grant.
- Wait for approval. Do not book or start the installation yet.
- Once approved, you have 8 months to complete the works.
- Have the system installed, then complete the required post-works BER.
- Submit the paperwork and SEAI pays the grant to you.
The mistake that costs the grant
By far the most common reason people miss out is starting the work before approval. Treat the SEAI approval email as your green light — nothing before it.
How it stacks with cost and payback
The grant is one of three things that lower your real cost — alongside 0% VAT and export payments. See the full price picture in Solar panel cost in Ireland 2026, and whether it all adds up for your home in Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?
Note
Grant amounts and rules can change, especially after the October Budget. This is general information, not financial advice — always confirm the current amount and conditions on the SEAI website before applying.