What Solar Panel Companies Are There in Ireland?

When shopping around for solar panels, choosing the right installers and providers will be key in getting the best service for your new renewable energy solution! In our solar panel companies guides, we’ll go through the best solar panel companies in Ireland and how you can get your solar panels installed by them!

Who Are the Solar Panel Companies in Ireland?

If you’re looking to install solar panels on your property, you’ll need to contact a solar panel company to come and provide them for you. Fortunately, Ireland is home to over 177 solar panel companies who are all SEAI approved, so you can have your pick of the bunch when it comes to your installation.

What Services Does a Solar Panel Company Provide?

What services a solar panel company in Ireland will provide will depend on the company, however most solar panel companies will do the following:

1. Assess Your Property
   All solar panel companies will come round and assess your property before then give you a quote for your property. Since houses vary in size and shape, you might need an entirely different process to even your neighbour. Solar panel companies will come round and take all the measurements they need to make your installation successful.
2. Solar Panel Installation
   After the assessment and you agree to a quote, you can give the go-head for your chosen solar panels to be installed. Usually, this won’t take any longer than a day depending on the property size. Solar panel installers are trained electricians and have experience on rooftops so it’s always recommended to let your solar panel company handle it.
3. Post-Installation Testing
   After the installation, your solar panel company will usually need to do some post-installation tests to double check that everything has gone smoothly and there are no problems. This is where your solar panels will be “commissioned” so it can now provide you with free electricity and other solar panel benefits!

What Is an SEAI Approved Solar Panel Company?

An SEAI approved solar panel company is one that has been trained and accredited by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This means that they are fully certified by the government body to come and install your solar panels for you. You also can benefit from the SEAI solar panel grant if you use an approved installer.

Can I Use an Unapproved Solar Panel Company?

Just because a solar panel company isn’t approved by the SEAI, it doesn’t mean they won’t do a great job when it comes to installing your solar panels. However, if you don’t use an approved solar panel company, you won’t be able to get the SEAI solar panel grant.

Learn More About the SEAI Solar Panel Grant!

Can all solar panel types qualify for the SEAI grant? Unfortunately, only photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are eligible for the SEAI grant. PV solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, whereas other solar panels, such as solar thermal or thermodynamic, just use the heat and radiation to heat up a tank of water to provide energy as well as other solar panel components. The SEAI only allows for PV solar panel installations to receive the solar panel grant.

Can I Install Solar Panels By Myself?

It's not a very good idea to try and install solar panels by yourself. Since solar panels are tricky devices that need to installed on your roof, installing them correctly and without having an accident is often not possible. By far the safest is to let a professional solar panel company handle your installation. However, there are the options to purchase solar panel kits that will help you set up a basic solar panel at home by yourself. You just need to follow the instructions and you're done!

How Can I Find Solar Panel Companies in Ireland?

Finding a solar panel company in Ireland can be tricky since there are so many to choose from. If you’re going down the SEAI grant route, after filling in the application form, the next difficult challenge is actually finding the right solar panel installer!

Is There a List of Solar Panel Companies?

On the SEAI’s website, you can download an excel spreadsheet detailing a complete list of all the Renewable Installers that are registered with the SEAI. The list doesn’t just cover solar panels, but a full range of different renewable energy products that some companies might do together. These include:

• PV Solar Panels
• Solar Thermal Panels
• Thermodynamic Solar Panels
• Biomass Boilers
• Heat pumps

The list includes services, names, phone numbers and email addresses of all the approved solar panel companies. You can also find a solar panel company that will help you with any solar panel repairs.

How Should I Compare Solar Panel Companies?

Comparing solar panels isn’t as easy as comparing your energy bills or your broadband tariffs. You will need to get a good idea of what the different solar panel companies have to offer in terms of services, costs, and also the reviews from people who have had their solar panels installed by them. Some solar panel companies might also provide extras such as solar panel batteries.

Find Out More About Solar Panel Costs!

Which Is the Best Solar Panel Company in Ireland?

Although everyone’s needs are different, there are some solar panel companies that stand out a little more than others. If you’re totally lost in where to start with your solar panel installation, here are our top 10 SEAI approved solar panel companies:

• Electric Ireland Solar Panel
• Solartricity
• Solar Electric
• Alternative Energy Ireland
• NRG Panel
• GreenHouse Renewable Energy
• LVP Renewables
• Thermasol
• PureVolt Solar

How Do Solar Panel Companies Install Solar Panels?

The process of installing solar panels at your property depends a lot on the route you want to take. If you’re not going to use an SEAI approved solar panel company, you might have an entirely different process, but in general, whether SEAI approved or not, you need to complete the following steps:

1. Appoint Solar Panel Installer
   Firstly, you will need to get quotes from registered solar panel installer companies so you can find out how much you will be looking at paying in getting solar panels installed at your property. You should make a note of all the quotes and pick the best one for your budget and property.
2. Apply for Solar Panel Grant
   Next, you will need to fill in the solar panel grant application form online. Here is where you’ll put in your bank details so you make sure they are correct before you continue. You should wait for approval on the grant amount before you begin installing the solar panels.
3. Solar Panel Installer Applies to ESB Networks
   Your solar panel installer will then apply to ESB Networks to confirm the connection to the electricity distribution network. This can take around 4 weeks so you should be patient and wait before you start installing.
4. Install Your Solar Panels
   After you’ve received approval and have heard back from ESB Networks, you can then start installing your solar panels. Here is where you will either make your payment to the solar panel installer or agree to financing the solar panels in the future with an agreement.
5. Get the BER Rating
   Then, after your solar panels have been installed, you will need to get your BER rating. Your BER rating is extremely important so you must contact a BER rating assessor as soon as possible to make sure you get your property assessed. If you don’t, you might lose out on the solar panel grant.
6. Solar Panel Evidence Submitted
   Your solar panel installer will then send on the documentation you’ll need for getting the solar panels approved. They will also send a copy to the SEAI for them to have a look at before giving you the grant.
7. SEAI Process the Grant Claim
   Once all the documentation has been received, the SEAI will process your solar panel grant application and will decide whether you qualify. If you’re successful, the SEAI will pay the grant into your bank account which usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks.

Check Out Our Solar Panels Installation Guide!

Which Solar Panel Companies Have a Microgeneration Programme?

Some solar panel companies as well as energy companies have special programmes that allow for solar panel customers to earn money from their renewable energy generation. These can allow for home owners to earn money back on their investment even quicker!

What Is a Microgeneration Programme?

As is quite common with solar panels and other renewable technologies, the amount of energy generated is usually too much for it to be used for a single home. On a really sunny day, the energy produced from solar panels is usually much more than necessary. A microgeneration programme allows you to export that excess energy to the national grid and get paid for it via the Clean Export Scheme.

Which Solar Panel Companies Have a Microgeneration Programme?

The microgeneration schemes in Ireland are not run separately through different energy companies but are part of a government scheme to support smaller generators of renewable energy. The Clean Export Scheme was designed to help compensate microgenerators for the excess energy they produce. If you’re interested in becoming part of Ireland’s Microgeneration Support Scheme, you should contact your energy provider to see if they offer it in their tariffs.