Are solar panels worth it in Ireland in 2026?

By David Meaney - Published 22 May 2026

Irish weather is a hot topic, but not in the temperature sense, unfortunately for us. Naturally, that means many people question the idea of solar panels in a country that’s had the wettest start to a year on record. We’re out to answer the biggest question people in Ireland have about home energy improvements; are solar panels worth it in Ireland?

Are solar panels worth it in Ireland? The maths

Solar in Ireland has moved beyond early adopters. In 2025 alone, more than 34,000 households installed panels, the strongest year on record, yet fewer than one in six suitable rooftops has solar today. In other words, it’s proven, but the opportunity is still wide open.

Around 370,000 Irish homes now have solar panels fitted to their homes. By May 2025, solar supplied 6.5% of the country's entire electricity. Solar has grown from that thing the early adopting techie in the village has, to being a mainstream home energy solution.

The typical cost of a system in Ireland is between €3,500 to €6,000. That’s after you’ve added in SEAI grants and VAT savings.

Customers can expect to save on bills and generate income by selling back to the grid if opting for a microgeneration plan.

All of this means that your investment in solar can be paid back in between five to seven years for most households, depending on system, plan, usage and initial investment.

You can expect the solar system you install on your house to last for over 25 years.

All of these maths means that your initial investment could lead to up to 20 years of reduced costs for powering your home.

Add into the mix recent uncertainty due to global political turmoil and that investment seems even smarter!

Does Ireland get enough sun for solar panels to work?

This is the biggest misconception about solar panels in Ireland. Don’t worry, we get it. We see the same weather forecasts you do! Modern solar PV (photovoltaic) systems converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials like silicon, and they generate electricity more efficiently than ever before. They require daylight, not heat.

Solar panels don’t even need blue skies. Thankfully in Ireland says you.

All of this means that even on cooler, darker days, your solar panels are generating electricity for your home.

Ireland gets between 1,100 and 1,600 hours of sunshine per year, depending on location. A typical 4kW to 4.5kW home solar panel system generates between 3,500 to 4,000 kWh annually.

I've always said that Ireland has long had a perception problem when it comes to solar. The reality is we have more than enough daylight hours to make it work effectively. What we’re seeing now, even in one of the wettest starts to a year on record, is a sharp surge in demand. That tells you the shift isn’t about weather, it’s about mindset. With ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and energy price volatility, solar is moving from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic necessity for households and businesses alike. The opportunity for Ireland right now is massive. People are taking back control.

You can maximise that control by adding a battery to your setup.

Should I add a battery to my solar panel system?

Most people discover solar when they're trying to cut their bills. Then, somewhere between the quote and the install, they start wondering: what about a battery?

You don't need a battery for solar to be worth it in Ireland. But for the right home, it can make your system work significantly harder for you.

What does a solar battery do?

Your solar PV system will generate electricity during daylight hours. If you're not home to use it, or the house just doesn't need it right then, that surplus goes to the grid, and you earn your export rate for it.
A battery stores that daytime generation instead. So, when the kids get home at 4pm, or you're running the washing machine after dinner, you're drawing from your own stored solar rather than the grid. You get the full value of every unit you generate, rather than selling it on.

For homes that use more electricity in the evenings than during the day, a battery can increase self-consumption from around 30-40% up to 60-80%.

Who gets the most from a solar battery?

A battery makes the strongest case for:

Families with evening-heavy usage, school runs, dinner, TV, homework, all happening after the sun dips
Homes with an electric vehicle as you can charge your car from your own stored solar overnight
Households with a heat pump as you can store solar energy to help power it during peak evening demand
People who value energy independence, less reliance on the grid, whatever happens to prices
Customers on smart night tariffs, a battery lets you maximise cheap overnight rates alongside your solar generation

If you're home all day, or your usage is already spread across daytime hours, the case for a battery is slightly less urgent, your panels are already serving your load directly.

The reality is that the big hesitation isn’t about whether or not solar works. Bord Gáis Energy research shows over a third of Irish homeowner’s plan to invest in solar in the next two years, but more than half say the upfront cost, not the technology, is what’s holding them back.

So let's get into that.

What does a solar battery cost in Ireland?

The best time to buy a solar battery is when you are getting your solar panels installed. This means you can avail of 0% VAT when installing. You can expect to pay between €3,000 to €7,000 depending on the capacity of the battery.

Right now, there is no standalone SEAI grant for batteries.

Can you install a battery after you install solar panels?

Yes, absolutely. There’s nothing stopping you from installing a battery a month or even years after your solar panels are installed. However, it’s worth remembering that you’ll benefit from 0% VAT if you install your battery at the same time as your solar panel system.

How does having solar panels help you save money in Ireland?

There are three major ways having solar panels saves you money in Ireland.

Solar panels usually means lower electricity bills

If you can get the right sized solar panel system installed on your home, facing in an optimal direction, you can expect lower electricity bills. According a Which? survey of solar customers, one in four respondents said solar provided between 50% to 75% of electricity needs.

You can get paid for surplus electricity

Solar customers can sign up for a microgeneration plan, follow the required registrations and start exporting electricity. During peak generation times, you’ll likely be generating more power than you need. It could be a gloomy Wednesday where the house is empty. You’re at work while the kids are at school, or your home simply doesn’t need the energy your panels are generating while others, who maybe work from home, do need it.

Under Ireland’s Clean Export Guarantee, your energy supplier must pay you for that surplus. With Bord Gáis Energy's Microgeneration Export Plan, you currently earn 18.5 cent per kWh for electricity you export to the grid, all of which is credited directly to your account.

That might not sound like much per unit, but it adds up. Exporting around 8 kWh on a sunny day earns close to €1.50. Over a bright week, that's over €10 on top of your bill savings.

A better BER and more sellable home

Solar panels improve your Building Energy Rating (BER). A better BER means lower running costs, which makes your home more attractive to prospective buyers should you be interested in selling down the line. It's a long-term asset, not just a monthly saving.

How Bord Gáis Energy helps you go solar

Going solar involves a few moving parts, your roof survey, system sizing, the SEAI grant application, installation, and then getting set up to earn from your exports. Bord Gáis Energy handles all of it and you can learn more about what happens on your solar install day too.

Free home consultation and roof survey to assess your setup and recommend the right system size
SEAI-registered installers and support with your grant application
0% VAT on your installation
Automatic enrolment in the Microgeneration Export Plan so you earn 18.5 cent per kWh for surplus electricity, credited to your Bord Gáis Energy bill
Finance options via partners like Finance Ireland to spread the cost
Aftercare and long-term support, for a system that's built to last 25+ years

Bord Gáis Energy has been serving Ireland's evolving energy needs since 1976 with plans to continue doing so for many years to come. Investing in solar with us comes with great peace of mind.

If you're already a Bord Gáis Energy customer, your export earnings go straight to your existing account. No second login, no separate system to manage.

Know Your Power: Key solar takeaway

In 2026, solar panels in Ireland aren't a gamble or a luxury. For most homes, they're one of the highest-impact financial upgrades you can make.

Grants up to €1,800. Zero VAT
Export payments at 18.5 cent per kWh
Grid prices at their highest in decades
And panels that pay for themselves in five to seven years, then keep delivering for 20 more

The window for maximum support for systems and installation costs is open right now, but grant levels are coming down year by year. Your roof is already working hard. With solar, it can start paying you back.

Get your free Bord Gáis Energy solar quote today. Find out exactly how much you could save, and start earning from your roof.

Get your free solar quote online

With a few quick clicks, you can see the true value of solar for your home.

Get free solar quote