Medically Vulnerable Solar PV Scheme

This scheme has been created and funded by the Irish Government’s Department of Environment, Climate & Communications (DECC). It’s managed and facilitated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

As your energy supplier, we’re working with these institutions and the associated installation partners to support the delivery of the Solar PV system installations through the scheme.

The Irish Government’s Department of Environment, Climate & Communications (DECC) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) created the eligibility and suitability ruling for this scheme.

Customers who qualify and meet the scheme criteria will have been sent an email or letter introducing them to this initiative.

To start the process and find out more, you’ll need to register your interest by the date printed on your communication. You can register your interest via the expression of interest form or by calling our contact centre on 01 912 0506 and speaking to an agent.

• Once you’ve registered your interest, our installation partner will be in touch to schedule a home assessment, this includes a site survey which will determine your property’s suitability.
• They’ll be able to tell you whether your property is suitable, and if not, why.
• If suitable, they’ll explain any preparatory work that might be required before installation. Costs associated to the works needed are not covered by the scheme.
• From there, they’ll share your Solar PV system design and walk you through the installation process. If you decide to proceed you'll need to sign and return the Consent to Processing Personal Data form and your Order Confirmation.
• Once we've received your signed Consent to Processing Personal Data form and your Order Confirmation, our team will contact you to schedule your installation date.
• The team will look to complete your post installation BER assessment within 1 week of your system being installed.
• After your Solar PV system has been installed, we may contact you to arrange a home visit to check the performance and efficiency of your solar PV system, ensuring everything is in working order.
• Should you have any questions about your Solar PV system our Technical Support Helpdesk and Aftercare team will be on hand to support you.

Please note: If you're renting, we'll need to have received a signed copy of the Homeowner Letter of Agreement prior to discussing the property's suitability and arranging the home assessment and site survey with the legally registered property owner.

After your home assessment and site survey, if your property is deemed suitable our installation partner will:

• Install up to five high-quality solar PV panels
• Plan the routing of the connection cables
• Agree the positioning of your energy inverter
• Arrange and schedule your free post installation BER assessment 

Completion times will be bespoke and dependent upon a number of factors including any preparatory work that may be needed to make your property solar ready.

• Normally, solar PV system installations take up 1-2 days to complete.
• Weather conditions such as high winds and heavy rains can impact installations. 
• Our installation partner will work to install your solar PV system safely. If needed, generators will be used to minimise the disruption to your electricity supply. 
• Your solar PV system will be installed with as little inconvenience to you as possible. Our solar installation partner will complete the installation work in a safe manner and leave your property as they found it.

• If you meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria and your property is deemed suitable, the installation and materials offered through this scheme are fully funded through by the Irish Government.
• Our installation partners are paid through the scheme.
• If there are any costs associated to preparing your property for installation, we’ll let you know before you make the decision to go ahead.  

The Solar PV scheme for Medically Vulnerable Customers/ Households includes:

• The installation of up to five high-quality solar PV panels
• Planning and routing of the connection cables
• Agreeing the positioning of your energy inverter
• Arranging and scheduling your post installation BER assessment

If you’d like to explore the cost of installing a bigger solar PV system and are looking to upgrade, you can discuss this with our solar installation partner during your home assessment and site survey. Our solar installation partner will review your options, the number of panels and other solar equipment such as a battery you may be interested in. Following this, they’ll create a solar PV system design specifically for your property. Our solar installation partner will share your quote with you. Payments for any extra equipment you decide to upgrade to and add on are to be made directly to our installation partner.

Please note, if you choose to upgrade, any extra solar materials and equipment costs are to be covered by yourself, the customer- these costs are not included in this scheme. Additional funding and grants for these costs are not available through the SEAI. 

We strive to ensure our customers receive the highest levels of customer care, quality materials and exceptional workmanship.

After your solar PV system has been installed, we’ll look to complete the following:

• BER Assessment: Our installation partner will arrange for your free, independent BER assessment to be completed. This is typically booked in within 1 week of your system being installed. 
• Bord Gáis Energy Checks: Your property may also be selected for checks. Here, we'll look to assess your solar PV system's performance and efficiency, making sure it meets industry standards. If selected, a member of our team will contact you to arrange a home visit.
• SEAI Inspection: As this scheme is managed and facilitated by the SEAI, a member of the SEAI’s inspection team may want to visit you to carry out an SEAI inspection check. These checks are aligned to the SEAI's Quality Assurance programme. If your property is chosen for an SEAI inspection, we’ll contact you to discuss the date and times available. 

• The Solar PV system and its components are covered under warranty. 
• The installation is covered under the installers’ warranty. 
• Post-installation, if you experience technical issues, you’ll be able to contact our Technical Support Helpdesk on 01 576 0189. Our Tech experts are available Monday to Friday, from 9am - 5pm to support your needs. 
• For customers needing help after 5pm, our Out-of-Hour’s Aftercare service will be available Monday to Sunday, from 5pm-10pm. To speak to a member of the team call 01 576 0189.

If there is damage to your roof, and repairs are required, these must be carried out prior to the installation of the Solar PV system. During the home assessment and site survey, if we identify an issue with your roof, our team will talk you through the options available to fix and provide you a quote. This scheme does not cover the cost of roof repairs or damage.

Ground mounted systems are not covered by this scheme.

Our team of installers will typically need access to the attic for wiring. If access is an issue during your home assessment and site survey we'll work with you to determine if other options are available.

Only houses built and occupied before 31 December 2020 are eligible for the scheme.  

Yes, renters are eligible for this scheme, however they must gain permission from the legally registered property owner to participate and explore a potential solar PV system installation at the property. 

As a renter, it’s important that the legally registered property owner is aware that you’ve expressed your interest in this scheme.

Shortly after registering interest, we'll share the Homeowner's Letter of Agreement form with you. This will provide details about the scheme offering, including permissions and declarations. We’ll require permission from the legally registered property owner to start our assessments of the property and consent to speak with them directly about potential solar options.

We’d need to receive the fully completed and signed Homeowner's Letter of Agreement form to proceed.

Note, receiving consent to contact and communicate with the legally registered property owner is a mandatory requirement for participation in this scheme. If we don't receive the Homeowner's Letter of Agreement form signed by the legally registered property owner, you'll fail to meet the scheme rules and unfortunately will not be eligible to proceed. 

If your eligibility changes and you're unsure if you can participate in this scheme, you must contact the team as soon as possible.

We’re available from Monday- Friday, from 9am- 5pm on 01 576 0186. Alternatively, you can email BGEMVsolarenquiries@bordgais.ie.

We understand that this scheme offering is generous and may leave eligible customers seeking guidance and assurance that there are no catches involved.

If you’re looking to understand more, you can call the SEAI’s Solar PV team direct. They’re available from Monday to Friday, from 9am- 5pm on 01 808 2004. Alternatively, you can contact them via email solarpv@seai.ie .

This is a government funded scheme overseen by the SEAI. The SEAI is bound by eligibility criteria when paying out financial support for energy efficiency works. This criterion means that an energy efficiency measure can only be grant funded once per Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN)/ household. If you’ve already availed of SEAI grant funding to support your solar PV installation, the SEAI cannot offer or apply any additional funding allowances- you will not be able to avail of this scheme.

If you’re unsure if you received SEAI grant funding to support your solar PV installation, you can call SEAI’s Solar PV team direct to check. They’re available from Monday to Friday, from 9am- 5pm on 01 808 2004. Alternatively, you can contact them via email solarpv@seai.ie .

Yes, you could still avail of this scheme however you must check and confirm the below:

1. Confirm that no solar PV system installation work has started or been carried out on your property. If any work has started you will not be eligible to proceed.
2. Ensure that any grant funding linked to your solar PV system installation is cancelled immediately by the SEAI. You must contact the SEAI direct to complete the grant funding cancellation.

For help with the completing the steps above or if you are looking for clarification, you can contact the SEAI’s Solar PV team from Monday to Friday, from 9am- 5pm on 01 808 2004. Alternatively, you can contact the SEAI via email solarpv@seai.ie .