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Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.
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There are over 300 SEAI approved solar panel installers in Ireland offering services in the installation of PV solar panels and storage batteries. In order to avail of the SEAI solar grant, you must contract an SEAI approved installer. It is recommended to compare different installers in your area to get the best quote before beginning work on your solar panel installation.
Who Are the Best Solar Panel Companies in Ireland?
We recommend looking for an SEAI approved solar panel company as this 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, with grant amounts of up to €1,800 available.
There are over 300 SEAI approved solar panel companies currently operating in Ireland. On the SEAI’s website, you can find a complete list of all installers that are registered with the SEAI.
The list can be filtered by county so that you can easily find a company operating in your local area.
Despite this, here is our choice of the top 10 SEAI registered solar panel companies in Ireland:
SEAI Approved Solar Panel Installers
Name of Company
SEAI Approved?
Key Features
PV Generation
Yes
Praised for customer service and guidance throughout the process, significant number of installations across Ireland.
Alternative Energy Ireland
Yes
Long-established in renewable energy, offers solar PV with a cashback guarantee for underperformance, handles most SEAI grant paperwork.
Eco Horizon Solar
Yes
5-star Google ratings, suggests high customer satisfaction.
Byrne Energy
Yes
High Google rating.
Wizer Energy
Yes
Partners with Finance Ireland for financing options, focuses on high-quality installations using Jinko and Aiko panels.
Solar Panels Ireland | Clover Energy Systems
Yes
Likely SEAI registered under "Solar PV Panels Ireland".
PureVolt Solar
Yes
Explicitly states SEAI approval, donates profits to charities in the form of free solar panels.
SolarSmart
Yes
Highly rated by customers
The list doesn’t just cover solar panels, but a full range of different environmental and renewable energy products that some companies might do together.
What services a solar panel company in Ireland will provide will depend on the company, however most companies will provide the following services:
Assess Your Property All solar panel companies will assess your property before giving you a quote for your property. Since houses vary in size and shape, you might need an entirely different process for similar houses in your area.
Solar Panel Installation After the assessment and agreement on a quote, your chosen solar panels will be installed by the company. Usually, this won’t take any longer than a day, depending on your property size.
Post-Installation Testing After the installation, the company will often need to do some post-installation tests to double-check that everything has gone smoothly and there are no problems.
Do I Need To Use an SEAI Approved Solar Panel Company to Receive a Grant?
To receive a solar panel grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), you must use an SEAI-approved solar panel company for the installation.
Here's why:
Eligibility Requirement: One of the core eligibility criteria for the SEAI solar PV grant is that the installation must be carried out by a solar PV company registered with the SEAI.
Quality Assurance: SEAI registration ensures that the installer has committed to installing systems in compliance with the Domestic and Non-Domestic Technical Standards and Specification (DTSS), adheres to a professional Code of Practice, and has demonstrated tax compliance and insurance cover.
Grant Application Process: As part of the grant application process, you will need to provide the details of the SEAI-registered company that will be carrying out the installation. The SEAI also requires documentation from the registered installer after the work is completed.
Ineligible Installations: If you use a company or individual that is not registered with the SEAI, your solar panel installation will not be eligible for the SEAI grant.
While the SEAI grant for batteries was discontinued, a battery is still highly recommended because it dramatically increases your self-consumption —the amount of your own generated solar energy you actually use.
Solar Battery
Without a Battery
With a Battery
Typical self-consumption is 30%–40% (most generation happens mid-day when you're out).
Typical self-consumption increases to 70%–90% (power is stored and used in the evening).
Main Benefits of a Solar Battery:
Avoid Expensive Imports: You store your free solar energy to use at night, avoiding buying expensive grid power during peak evening hours.
Time-of-Use Tariffs: Batteries can be programmed to charge from the grid overnight when electricity is cheapest and discharge during the most expensive peak hours, leveraging smart tariffs for maximum savings.
Backup Power: Some battery systems can provide backup power to essential appliances (lights, Wi-Fi, fridge) during a power cut.
What Is the Payback Period For A Solar System?
Thanks to SEAI grants, the 0% VAT rate, and the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), the financial return on solar is better than ever.
The typical payback period for a well-sized residential solar PV system in Ireland is generally 5 to 8 years.
Once this period is over, all the electricity the panels generate for the rest of their 25+ year lifespan is essentially free, leading to huge savings.
Factors that shorten your payback time:
High Daytime Usage: The most valuable power is the electricity you use directly in your home. Running appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and hot water immersions during the day maximises this self-consumption.
High Electricity Prices: The more expensive the grid electricity you replace, the faster your system pays for itself.
System Sizing: A system correctly sized to meet your specific annual energy demand (not just your roof size) will provide the fastest return.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG)
Any surplus electricity you don't use instantly is automatically exported back to the National Grid.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) is the scheme that ensures your electricity supplier pays you a tariff for this exported power.
This payment is typically applied as a credit to your bill.
Clean Export Guarantee
Key CEG Fact
Detail
How it works
Requires an export-enabled smart meter. Your supplier tracks the kWh exported and credits your account at their set rate.
Rates
Rates are set by the individual energy suppliers and vary, typically ranging from 15c to over 25c per kWh. It is crucial to shop around for the best CEG rate.
Tax Exemption
Currently, the first €200 of income earned from the CEG scheme each year is tax-exempt for homeowners.
How Should I Compare Solar Panel Companies?
With so many companies offering solar panel services, comparing the market can be difficult. You will need to get a good idea of what the different solar panel companies have to offer in terms of:
Beyond ensuring a solar panel company is SEAI approved to access grants, several other crucial factors should guide your choice to guarantee a smooth installation and a reliable, long-lasting system.
Consider the following aspects when evaluating potential installers:
Accreditations and Certifications: Look beyond SEAI approval for additional certifications or quality standards. These demonstrate a commitment to industry best practices and might include certifications related to specific technologies, safety standards, or business management.
Experience and Track Record: A company's history speaks volumes. Prioritise installers with a significant number of successful installations in Ireland. A proven track record suggests they have navigated local regulations, understand typical Irish weather conditions, and have a skilled team.
Warranty Details (Panels, Inverter, Workmanship): Warranties offer crucial protection for your investment. Carefully review the warranties provided not only for the solar panels and inverter themselves but also for the quality of the installation work. Understand the duration, what is covered, and the process for making a claim.
Customer References and Case Studies: Direct feedback from previous clients can provide invaluable insights into a company's service quality, installation process, and after-sales support.
Local vs. National Companies: Consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of both local and national companies. Local companies may offer more personalized service and have a deeper understanding of regional nuances, while national companies might have more resources and standardized processes.
If you have found some companies in your area and are still not sure which to choose, we recommend asking them the following questions to help you compare and make the right choice.
⛅ Questions to Ask When Comparing Solar Panel Companies
How much energy will the PV system produce in a year?
What is the total cost?
What are the ongoing service and maintenance costs?
What warranty is provided?
Is my roof and electricity demand suitable for PV
Selectra's Solar Panel Tip
"While you can purchase DIY solar panel kits, it's not a very good idea to try and install them by yourself. Installing them correctly and without having an accident is often not possible so the safest thing to do is to let a professional company handle your installation."
How Do Solar Panel Companies Install Solar Panels?
As mentioned above, we recommend using an SEAI registered company for your solar panel installation. The process from start to finish should follow these steps:
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.
Apply for Solar Panel Grant Next, you will need to fill in the solar panel grant application form online. This will include submitting 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.
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.
Install Your Solar Panels After you’ve received approval and have heard back from ESB Networks, you can then start installing your solar panels.
Get the BER Rating 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.
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.
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.
Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.
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The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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