What Are Electric Ireland Solar Panels Offers?
Electric Ireland are offering solar panel installation starting from an estimated €6,973 for an 8 panel system. The price for installation will depend on factors such as the amount of panels being installed, as well as individual installation costs. As Electric Ireland is a registered SEAI solar panel installer, you can avail of a grant to help cover the cost of your solar panel installation. Electric Ireland also offer a microgeneration scheme where you can sell excess solar energy for electricity credits.
Which Solar Panels Do Electric Ireland Offer?
Electric Ireland solar panels are photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
These solar panels use the sun’s radiation in order to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This is different from other types of solar panels such as thermodynamic or solar thermal panels that rely on the heat from the sun.
Solar energy captured by PV solar panels can be used to directly power your home, heat your water, charge a solar battery, while excess energy can be exported through the Microgeneration Support Scheme.
How Much Are Electric Ireland Solar Panels?
Electric Ireland solar panels have an estimated starting cost for both purchase and installation from €6,973 for an 8 panel system.
There is no fixed price for the purchase and installation of solar panels from Electric Ireland, as the provider works out a quote for each individual household based mainly on the size of your property.
In the table below, you'll find the estimated cost for solar panel installation from Electric Ireland:
| No. of panels | Kilowat Output (max output) | Supply and installation | SEAI Grant | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 3.4 kWp | €6,973 | -€1,850 | €5,123 |
| 10 | 4.3 kWp | €8,295 | -€2,100 | €6,195 |
| 12 | 5.2 kWp | €8,867 | -€2,100 | €6,767 |
Last Updated: August 2024
Can I Get an Electric Ireland Solar Panel Grant?
As Electric Ireland is a registered SEAI solar panel provider, you can avail of a grant towards the installation of your panels.
The amount that you receive for the solar panel grant depends on a lot of factors. However, the most important is the peak output of your new solar panel system.
This means that the amount of power that your solar panel generates at peak times will determine how much you’ll receive in the grant:
| Kilowatt Peak (kWp) | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 kWp | €800 |
| 2 kWp | €1600 |
| 3 kWp | €1850 |
| 4 kWp | €2100 |
Source: Citizen Information
Last Updated: August 2024
The solar panel grant will cover both the labour and the material for the solar panels to be installed in your property.
For many of the grants, the maximum amount is lower than the average price for PV solar panels (around €4,000) so the grant is intended to foot part of the bill for the over costs.
To apply for the solar panel grant, you will need to fill in an online application with the SEAI.
Grant Amount Capped 2024
In 2024, the grant is capped at €2,100. The Government plans to reduce the grant by up to €300 every year, as it expects the cost of solar panel systems to reduce over time. It is intended that the grant will end in 2029.
Microgeneration with Electric Ireland Solar Panels
Microgenerators, such as solar panels, generate clean, renewable energy to meet some or all of the electricity demands of a household.
The Government Microgeneration Support Scheme is now available so that those with a registered microgeneration device can sell any excess electricity back to Ireland’s electricity grid through their energy provider.
Electric Ireland are offering a rate of 21 cents per kWh for excess energy produced by microgenerators. The amount you earn will paid in the form of credit on your electricity bill.
Selectra's Solar Battery Tip
"Electric Ireland also install solar batteries which are a great way to store electricity generated by your soalr panels and can be used on days when your panels produce less energy. This way you don't lose out on your savings."
When Will I Earn My Money Back with Electric Ireland Solar Panels?
It usually takes around 5 to 6 years for you to get a return on your investment.
Solar panels are a long term investment, and given that they can last for up to 40 years, they begin to male a financial return relatively soon.
If you avail of the microgeneration scheme, a typical solar panel system could lead to the following returns:
| Self-Produced | Microgeneration | Annual Savings | Payback Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| €557 | €325 | €882 | 6 Years |
| €697 | €406 | €1,103 | 6 Years |
| €836 | €488 | €1,324 | 5 Years |
Savings based on an average electricity rate of 41c/kWh and microgeneration rate of 21c/kWh that is exported. Last Updated: August 2024
Electric Ireland Solar PV Calculator
The Electric Ireland solar PV calculator is a very useful tool to calculate an estimate of how much you could save per year from having solar panels installed on your property.
By answering questions related to:
- Where you live.
- Which direction your house faces.
- The angle of your roof.
- When you spend most time at home.
It can estimate how much you will save in a year along with your yearly reduction in CO2. For example,
Someone living in Leinster, with a south-facing home pitched at a 45-degree angle who is at home in the afternoons, could save up to €511 per year with a 2kWp installation.
How Can I Apply for Electric Ireland Solar Panels?
To apply for the Electric Ireland solar panels, you can visit their solar panels page and request a call back through the callback form provided. The application process works as such:
- Request a callback
- Free consultation
- Make payment
- Site survey
- Solar panel installation
If you are looking to make a general enquiry about solar panels, you can contact Electric Ireland on 1800 372 372.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Install Solar Panels?
No. The installation of solar panels on domestic properties is exempt from planning permission. Since the 7th of October 2022, there is no longer a limit to the area of solar panels which can be installed on rooftops of homes, anywhere in the country.
What Are the Pros and Cons of PV Solar Panels?
Though they are the most popular, PV solar panels also have some drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons to photovoltaic panels:
✅ What Are the Advantages of PV Solar Panels?
- Long Lifespan
PV solar panels have a long lifespan, making them a great long term investment. The modern PV solar panels usually last for around 40 years with little maintenance needed. - Energy Independence
Since PV solar panels work both on sunny days and rainy days, you can have genuine independence from the grid by simply using the renewable energy from the sun. - Cheaper Bills
Since with PV solar panels, you are relying on your own energy generation, the power that you use from the grid will be less than you would otherwise have used. This means that you’ll get a cheaper monthly bill from your energy supplier. - Improve House Value
Solar panels on your roof improve your house’s energy efficiency. This means that after you get them installed, your BER Rating will be reassessed and give your property a much higher grade for its energy efficiency. This will mean a higher home value in the future.
❌ What Are the Disadvantages of Solar Panels?
- Don’t Work At Night
Since PV solar panels need sunlight in order to work, they won’t work at night. This means you'll still need to use other sources of energy after dark. This is the major drawback of solar panels. - Low Efficiency
PV solar panels tend to have a low efficiency rating of just over 20%. This is usually due to weather conditions and placement problems, so you should make sure your home is properly assessed before investing in your solar panels. - Not Total Independence
Unfortunately, even with the best solar panels, you’ll never be able to go off the grid completely. You’ll still need to rely on your energy supplier during the night and to pick up the rest of your energy needs at night and in rainy weather. - Costly To Repair
Solar panels usually don’t need much maintenance, but when they break, they can be very expensive to repair. You should look after your solar panels as best you can to avoid high maintenance costs.
Our Electric Ireland Articles:
- Learn more about customer experiences with Electric Ireland.
- Compare Electric Ireland rates with other Irish energy providers.
- Find out how to sign up to and login to your Electric Ireland account.
- Compare Electric Ireland PAYG rates.
- Our Electric Ireland top-up guide has everything you need to know.
- See what rewards you can earn as an Electric Ireland customer.