How Much Does a Solar Panel Kit Cost in Ireland?

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

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.

Solar panel kits range in price from €1,000 to €8,000+ depending on the amount of panels you choose to install. DIY solar panel kits allow you to install your own solar panels at home without the need for contracting a professional solar panel installation company. There are no SEAI grants available for DIY solar panel kits.

How Much Does a Solar Panel Kit Cost in Ireland?

The cost of a solar panel kit can vary greatly but range from €1,000 to €8,000+ depending on the number of panels you select to install.

DIY kits are often seen as a cheap alternative to having solar panels professionally installed, however there are several costs to take into account:

Source: Energyd.ie
Last Updated: October 2025

As can be seen from the table above, the extra costs involved in installing your own solar panels could add up to over €2,000 more to your costs.

Are There Any Hidden Costs with Solar Panel Kits?

Beyond the more common hidden costs associated with DIY solar panel kits in Ireland previously mentioned, there are some other potential hidden costs to consider:

• Planning Permission: While many small domestic solar panel installations are exempt from requiring full planning permission, there can be specific circumstances where it might be necessary. For example, if you live in a protected structure or if the visual impact of your installation is deemed significant by the local authority which could incur a fee.
• Structural Engineer Assessment: Depending on the age and construction of your roof, you might need to consult a structural engineer to ensure it can safely support the weight of the solar panels and mounting system, especially if you are installing a larger system.
• Specialised Tools and Equipment: While basic tools might be sufficient for some aspects of the installation, you might need to purchase or rent specialised tools like a torque wrench for correctly tightening mounting hardware, a cable crimping tool for solar connectors, or a multimeter suitable for solar PV testing.
• Safety Equipment: Investing in proper safety gear is crucial when working at height and with electrical systems. This could include harnesses, safety lines, non-slip footwear, safety glasses, and insulated gloves.
• Certification and Inspection Fees: Even for DIY installations, there might be inspection fees from a registered electrical contractor to certify the electrical work and ensure it complies with regulations.
• Incorrect Installation Costs: If the DIY installation is not done correctly, you could face costs for troubleshooting, repairs, or even needing to hire a professional to rectify the issues.
• Performance Monitoring Equipment: While not strictly necessary for the initial installation, you might want to invest in monitoring equipment to track the performance of your solar panels. This can help you identify any issues early on but adds to the upfront cost.
• Grid Connection Fees: If you plan to export excess electricity back to the grid under the Microgeneration Support Scheme, there might be administrative or technical fees associated with setting up the grid connection with ESB Networks.

It's always advisable to extensively research and plan your DIY solar panel project, getting detailed quotes for any aspects you won't be doing yourself.

Overlooking these potential hidden costs can lead to budget overruns and unexpected expenses.

Where Can I Buy Solar Panel Kits?

You can buy solar panel kits from a variety of sources, both online and in physical stores.

Here's a breakdown of the main places:

Before purchasing, it's often helpful to get quotes from multiple suppliers and compare the kit contents, prices, and customer reviews.

What Is a DIY Solar Panel Kit?

DIY solar panel kits work in exactly the same way as standard solar panels, with the only difference being that you do most of the solar panel installation yourself as opposed to contracting a professional solar panel company.

Solar kits contain everything you need to set up solar energy for your home. You can get them in a range of sizes, depending on how many solar panels your property might need, and with customisable configurations to make sure they fit where they should.

Once installed, they will function in exactly the same way as standard solar panels:

What’s Included in a Solar Panel Kit?

A solar panel kit contains all the main solar panels components you’ll need for a successful solar power system at home.

The main components you’ll get in a kit include the following:

• Solar Panels
  You’ll receive your solar panels with the specifications you’ve requested for your property. Depending on what you go for, you can either receive monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells, and you’ll receive the panel in its glass casing.
• Mounting Hardware
  You’ll also receive the necessary hardware for helping you mount the solar panels on your roof to make sure they’re secured.
• Inverter
  You’ll also receive the inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the sun into alternating current (AC) that your home runs.
• Battery
  If you want to get a solar panel battery so you can store the electricity to use for later, you can do so with your solar kits as well. Solar batteries usually come at a much greater cost to your overall solar panel kit.
• Cables
  You’ll get all the cables and wiring to make sure your solar panel is all connected up to be able to distribute the power from the panel as well as to your property.
• Instructions
  You’ll receive the instructions manual to know exactly how to mount, connect up, and activate your solar panels once you’ve received them, and they’re starting to work.

What Types of Solar Panel Kits Are There?

You can usually get two types of solar kits: those that work with the national grid, and others that are off-grid. Here are the main differences:

1. Grid Connection
   Solar panel kits with a grid connection can be hooked up to Eirgrid so you can actually export your surplus solar energy and get paid for it. This is often part of a microgeneration scheme that is offered by many solar panel companies.
2. Off-Grid
   Off-grid solar panels are less of a hassle, but they don’t give you the ability to benefit from the microgeneration programmes on offer. However, they will help you reduce your energy bills by using the sunlight to generate part of your electricity demand without needing to rely completely on your energy supplier.

Choosing the Right Size DIY Solar Panel Kit for Your Home

Selecting the correct size kit (number of panels) is key to maximising your energy savings and ensuring the project is worthwhile.

The goal is generally to generate enough electricity to cover your daytime electricity use, which reduces the amount you need to buy from your supplier.

Factors to Consider When Sizing Your Kit

• Annual Energy Consumption: Check your annual consumption figure (kWh) on your electricity bill.
• Roof Space and Orientation: South-facing roofs are ideal, but East/West orientations can still be highly effective. The physical space available dictates the maximum number of panels you can install.
• Your Budget: More panels mean a higher initial kit cost.

General Sizing Guide for Irish Homes

Use this table as a starting point, noting that a single standard panel typically produces between 350W and 450W.

Are There Any Regulations for Installing DIY Solar Kits?

While DIY solar kits offer you more control over how you want them installed, there are some regulations that you must follow when installing them:

1. Electrician
   A qualified RECI electrician must sign off on the work and make the actual electrical connections.
2. ESB Networks
   The electrician must inform the ESB of the installation by submitting form NC6.
3. Inverter
   You must use an inverter that conforms to IS EN 50549-1 with documents to prove it.
4. Hardware
   All hardware must be CE marked and conform to the National Rules for Electrical Installations.
5. Planning Permission
   Make sure to follow the rules for planning permission exemptions. In particular, to keep panels at least 50 cm from roof edges.

What Are the Advantages of a DIY Solar Kits?

While DIY kits save on the significant labour component of professional installation, it is crucial to understand the overall financial return, particularly because you cannot avail of the SEAI grant.

Estimated Payback Period

The typical payback period for a solar PV system in Ireland is generally between 6 and 10 years. For a DIY system, this period can sometimes be shorter due to the lower upfront cost, provided you successfully manage the associated hidden costs efficiently.

The Impact of the SEAI Grant

By choosing DIY, you forgo the up to €2,100 SEAI grant. This money must be covered by your savings.

• Professional System: Initial Cost of €10,000 – €2,100 Grant = €7,900 Net Cost
• DIY System: Initial Kit Cost of €5,000 + Estimated Labour/Hidden Costs of €2,000 = €7,000 Total Cost

As the example shows, the net savings of a DIY system over a professionally installed, grant-assisted one may be marginal, especially when factoring in your own time, effort, and risk.

Microgeneration (Clean Export Guarantee - CEG)

Your main long-term financial return comes from two sources:

1. Reduced Bills: Using the electricity you generate instead of buying it from your supplier (worth approximately €0.30 per kWh).
2. Selling Excess: Exporting surplus energy back to the grid under the CEG (worth approximately €0.15-€0.25 per kWh).

To maximise your financial return from a DIY kit, you should prioritise a grid-tied system and ensure you have an efficient inverter and connection approval from ESB Networks.

Getting a solar panel kit has many great advantages to it, since you don’t have to rely on a separate solar panel company to do it all for you.

However, there are some drawbacks, so you also need to consider these before you buy a kit.

✅ Advantages of a Solar Panel Kit

Solar kits have similar benefits to solar panels that can help you transition to green and renewable energy

Here are some of the main advantages of solar panel kits:

• Convenience
  Installing your solar panels gives you some degree of control over how and when you install them, however you will still need to wait for a professional electrical assessment before you can start using them.
• Cost-Effective
  Buying solar panel kits, though still expensive, are usually a lot cheaper than having to buy solar panels from a solar panel company. There are hidden costs to factor into the overall cost, so be sure to calculate these before purchasing your panels.
• Lower Energy Bills
  While there is a large upfront cost to solar panels, the long term savings from reduced energy bills make them a smart investment as well as having a positive impact on the environment.
• Microgeneration
  As part of the government's Micro Generation Support Scheme, any excess energy produced by the panels can be sold back into the national grid.

❌ Disadvantages of a Solar Panel Kit

Despite the obvious advantage of lowering your home energy bills while reducing your carbon emissions, there are some disadvantages to DIY solar kits:

• High Initial Cost
  Despite being cheaper, solar panel kits tend to be very expensive when you pay for them upfront. This high initial cost October be off-putting to some people, especially since it can take up to 5 years to see a return on investment.
• Not Completely DIY
  While being somewhat of a DIY job, ultimately you still need to pay for a professional electrical assessment and wiring. On top of this, you also need a professional roofer to help install the panels. You might also have to worry about doing your own solar panel repairs too.
• Weather Durability
  Almost all solar panels are susceptible to weather conditions, so buying solar panel kits might not be best equipped for dealing with adverse conditions and might get damaged more easily.
• No Grants Available
  There are no SEAI grants available for DIY kits, meaning you don't benefit from any reduction in the cost of their installation.

DIY Kit vs. Professional Solar Panel Installation: Which is Right for You?

Deciding between a DIY solar kit and a professionally installed system is the most important choice you will make. 

While the DIY route appears cheaper initially, it excludes you from the substantial SEAI grants and shifts significant liability and labour onto you.

Here is a quick comparison of the two options to help you decide:

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

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.