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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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As of May 2025, Pinergy are offering the best microgeneration rate of 25.0 cents per kWh including VAT. Other suppliers are offering rates in the range of 15.89c per kWh to 20.0c per kWh including VAT. The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) allows homeowners to sell excess electricity created by their home microgenerators back to their electricity supplier. If you are looking to switch electricity provider, you can call 📞(01) 913 1771.
Which Supplier Has the Best Microgeneration Rates in Ireland?
As of May 2025, Pinergy are offering the best microgeneration rate of 25.0 cents per kWh including VAT.
If you are considering switching to a new supplier for their microgeneration rate, make sure to compare their unit rates for electricity.
Despite having a competitive microgeneration rate, they may have a higher standard unit rate or indeed standing charges compared to other microgeneration suppliers.
Microgeneration rates, also known as feed-in tariffs, are payments made by electricity suppliers to homeowners or business for the surplus renewable electricity they export to the national grid.
This initiative is part of the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) and aims to incentivise home and business owners to invest in microgenerated energy.
These systems are primarily used to generate electricity that will be consumed by the home or premises.
However, in the event that excess electricity is being produced, depending on the electricity supplier, this can be then sold back into the national grid.
This is a breakdown of how it works:
How Microgenertion Rates Work
Electricity Generation: Your microgeneration system generates electricity.
Self-Consumption: You use the generated electricity to power your home or business, typically it is used for hot water.
Export: Any electricity you generate that you don't immediately use is automatically exported back to the national grid through your connection.
Metering: Your smart meter measures the amount of electricity you export.
Payment: Your electricity supplier pays you a pre-agreed rate, the feed-in tariff, for each kWh of electricity you export. This payment is typically credited to your electricity bill.
How Much Can I Earn with Microgeneration Rates?
The amount you can earn from microgeneration depends on several factors, including:
The size of your microgeneration system: Larger systems generally produce more surplus electricity.
The amount of electricity you export: This is influenced by your energy consumption habits and the generation capacity of your system.
The feed-in tariff rate offered by your electricity supplier: Rates vary between suppliers.
Weather conditions (for solar and wind): More sunshine or wind will lead to higher generation.
Below you'll find a breakdown of how much you could potenitally save:
Estimating Typical Exports Amount
Estimations are based on an average export percentage and a microgeneration rate of 20.0c per kWh.
Calculations
✅ Annual generation of a 4 kWp solar system: 1,000 kWh
Figures are for illustrative purposes only and actual export amounts may vary.
Are Microgeneration Rates Taxed in Ireland?
Currently, there is a tax exemption of €400 per year on income received from the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG).This exemption is in place until December 31, 2025. Any income exceeding this threshold may be subject to income tax.
Who’s Eligible for Microgeneration Rates?
The Microgeneration Support Scheme is generally open to a wide range of applicants, including:
Homeowners: Individuals looking to install solar panels or other microgeneration technologies on their property.
Farmers: Agricultural businesses seeking to generate their own renewable energy.
Small businesses: Enterprises aiming to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact.
Community groups: Organizations undertaking local renewable energy projects.
Specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the type of microgeneration technology and the scale of the installation.
Are Microgeneration Rates Better Than a Storage Battery?
Solar battery storage systems are becoming increasingly popular in conjunction with microgeneration, particularly solar PV.
Batteries store excess electricity generated during peak times for later use, such as during the evening when solar generation is low.
This can significantly increase self-consumption and reduce reliance on the grid but has the knock on effect of reducing the amount of export potential your microgenerators have.
It is therefore not a straighforward choice between one or the other as personal preferences and factors will dictate which is the better option.
Below you will find a comparison of both and what they can offer:
Battery vs Microgeneration Rates Comparison
Feature
Microgeneration Rates (Feed-in Tariffs)
Storage Battery
Primary Benefit
Earning from exported electricity
Increased self-consumption, backup power
Financial Return
Direct earnings based on export volume
Savings from reduced grid consumption
Energy Independence
Limited
Significantly increased
Export Volume
Higher
Lower
Grid Reliance
Higher during low generation
Lower overall
Upfront Cost
Minimal direct cost (part of solar installation)
Significant additional cost
Given the varying benefits to both, it is recommended to consider carfully which option will work best foy you and your own personal energy needs.
Are Microgeneration Rates Worth It?
Whether feed-in tariffs are “worth it” depends on individual circumstances and priorities.
Here's a look at some pros and cons:
Pros
Reduces energy bills: By using your own generated electricity and earning from exports, you can significantly lower your electricity costs.
Contributes to a greener environment: Microgeneration reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps lower your carbon footprint.
Provides a return on investment: Feed-in tariffs help to offset the initial cost of installing a microgeneration system.
Increases energy independence: You become less reliant on the national grid and fluctuating electricity prices in Ireland.
Supports renewable energy development: By participating in microgeneration, you contribute to the growth of sustainable energy in Ireland.
Cons
Initial investment costs: Installing microgeneration technologies like solar panels can be a significant upfront expense.
Feed-in tariff rates can vary: The amount you earn from exports depends on the rates offered by suppliers, which can change.
Weather dependency: The amount of electricity generated by solar and wind systems is dependent on weather conditions.
Administrative processes: There are application and registration processes involved in setting up a microgeneration system and receiving feed-in tariff payments.
Potential impact of battery storage: If you install a battery, your export earnings will likely decrease.
Microgeneration Rates Ireland FAQs
Is There a Limit to the Amount of Energy I Can Export?
There is no explicit cap on the total amount of energy you can export under the Clean Export Guarantee scheme.
However, there may be limits on the size of the microgeneration system eligible for the scheme. It's always best to check the specific terms and conditions outlined by ESB Networks and your electricity supplier.
Do You Need a Smart Meter To Get Microgeneration Rates in Ireland?
Yes, generally you will need a smart meter to accurately measure the amount of electricity you export. Smart meters record both your import and export of electricity, providing the necessary data for your supplier to calculate your feed-in tariff payments.
If a smart meter is not available to you, your export may be calculated based on an estimated or “deemed” export quantity.
The deemed export quantity is an estimation of the amount of surplus electricity your microgeneration system is likely to export.
What Happens if I Switch to Another Supplier?
If you switch electricity suppliers, your new supplier will become responsible for paying you the feed-in tariff for any electricity you export after the switch.
You will need to inform your new supplier that you have a microgeneration system and provide them with the necessary details, such as your MPRN number.
Can I Export Electricity to Another Supplier?
You can only export electricity to your contracted electricity supplier and cannot choose which supplier to sell to.
If you have microgenerators but your supplier does not offer microgeneration rates, you will need to switch to an electricity supplier who offers these rates to avail of them.
How Can I See How Much Electricity I Am Exporting?
If you have a smart meter, you will typically be able to view your import and export data through an online portal or app provided by your electricity supplier or ESB Networks. This allows you to track your energy generation, consumption, and export in near real-time.
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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