Generate your own energy! SEAI is now offering a grant of up to €2,400 for solar photovoltaic panels to generate your own renewable electricity.
Every unit of solar electricity (kilowatt hour or kWh) you generate and use yourself instead of buying from the grid saves you around €0.20/kWh. A well optimised solar system of 12 panels is capable of generating nearly 3000 kWh which would save over €500.
Generating 100% renewable electricity improves the energy rating of your home. It's not uncommon with a well-designed system to see a full grade improvement
(D→C, C→B, etc)
A typical Irish home emits as much as 15 tons of carbon dioxide every year from electricity, home heating (gas/oil), and car(s).
Solar electricity is carbon-free at the point of generation, and can reduce your electricity-carbon emissions by more than half.
The Irish government’s sustainable energy promotion unit, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently running a pilot PV grant scheme to stimulate the market.
A government consultation to replace the grant took place in February of last year (2021) and it states that the new Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) is slated to be introduced.
Since then we have learned a considerable amount about this new Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme but we haven’t received a confirmation date for its arrival.
One thing we do know is that the pilot PV grant scheme is set to continue with new eligibility criteria as of February 16th 2022.
To qualify for the grant…
Previous criteria including having a minimum C BER rating and ensuring your home was built before 2011 have been reconsidered and amended.
Solar PV Grant | Example |
€900/kWp | You will receive €1800 for 2kWp of solar power (6 solar panels) |
€300 for every additional kWp
Total Solar PV grant capped at €2,400 | For example: 3kWp (8-9 panels): You will receive €2100. 4kWp (12 panels): You will receive €2400. |
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
€2,400
€2,400
€2,100
€1,800
€1,500
€1,200
€900
SolarShare is a registered SEAI Solar PV Company and we would be delighted to provide a quote for a Solar PV system designed specifically for your home.
It is critical that homeowners do not start works until they receive their grant offer. (Grant offers are valid for eight months.) For a step-by-step guide to the SEAI Solar grant application process please see our illustrated instructions at the link below.
While ESB Networks has 4 weeks (20 working days) to raise an issue following submission of the notification to connect, the process itself is typically a formality.
Solar PV system installation takes 1 to 2 days depending on your system size and site specifications.
A post works BER is required and the cost is included in the grant amount.
SolarShare will give you the documentation related to your installation and we will submit copies to SEAI electronically.
Due to the popularity of this scheme please allow up to 6 weeks for payment, with additional time if an inspection is required.
Unfortunately, as of February 16th 2022, the additional battery storage grant of €600 has been removed. SEAI removed this grant due to the forthcoming CEG scheme, and the opportunity for homeowners to export the energy they’ve generated back to the grid for a fee.
However, purchasing a battery system is still a smart investment. For instance, it provides you with the ability to join our Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.
It’s also important to realise that once you export the electricity you generate back to the grid, it loses approximately two-thirds of its value. Considering energy prices seem to be going in one direction, that loss of value is set to increase.
Our advice, and SEAI’s advice is to consume as much of the electricity you generate as possible, and a battery provides you with that opportunity.
Depending on the solar PV system you’re considering purchasing; there are still potential savings to avail of from the SEAI grant, check out the example scenarios below.
6 panels x 360Wp = 2.16kWp €1,800
12 panels x 360Wp = 4.32kWp
€1,800
6 panels x 360Wp = 2.16kWp
2kWp x €900/kWp = €1800
+0.16kWp (nearest 0.2kWp) x €300/kWp = €60
€1,860
12 panels x 360Wp = 4.32kWp
2kWp x €900/kWp = €1800
+2kWp x €300/kWp = €600
€2,400
SolarShare’s comprehensive SolarSurvey is designed to take you through the process of sizing the optimum solar PV system to maximize solar electricity generation for the size of your roof, its orientation to the sun, and your average annual electricity consumption.
Solar PhotoVoltaics (PV) is the technology which converts light into electricity. Using semiconducting materials, a photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells, which generate electrical power.
Solar Power has specific advantages as an energy source:
A SolarShare system, depending on your configuration, will typically consist of the following components:
Solar PV panels typically have a design life of over 25 years. Product warranties are typically 12 years, with a linear performance warranty of 20 to 25 years, depending on the manufacturer.
Inverters have a design life of 10 to 20 years depending on the manufacturer. Product warranties are 10 years and up.
Batteries have a design life based on charge/discharge cycles which range from 5000 to 10000, with a time-based limit of
10 years usually applying. Depending on the manufacturer, the battery will be warrantied to have from 60% to 70% of its capacity after 10 years, but can be expected to continue operating after that.
When solar power is created, it must be used immediately, otherwise your unused electricity will spill over to the grid. To avoid spilling your excess electricity to the grid, a battery is needed. A battery stores excess solar electricity generated for use later in the day.
The actual installation process should take no more than two business days. Simultanesouly, the solar panels are installed on your roof and the inverter and battery system is installed in your home. This is followed by connecting your SolarShare system to the grid, commissioning it, and providing training in its use.
Your SolarShare system comes with a 1-year installation warranty. The solar panels come with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 20-year linear performance warranty. The Inverter and Battery each come with a 10-year warranty.
Once connected to the VPP, SolarShare will continuously monitor your system for optimal performance and maximise your income from the sale of excess electricity and balancing services.
You may qualify for a grant from SEAI of up to €3,000 depending on the size of the SolarShare system you purchase, and as long as you meet the following criteria:
– The energy rating of your home, after the SolarShare installation, is at least C, and
– Your home was built and occupied before 2011.
A SolarShare system installation requires an exemption from Planning Permission which can take up to 8 weeks to obtain. Your SolarShare Energy Consultant will take care of the process of applying for the Planning Permission exemption.
There is no long term contractual commitment required in order to be part of the SolarShare VPP. We intend to earn your long-term commitment by way of delivering a superior product and customer experience over the life of your SolarShare system.
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) connects domestic SolarPV and battery systems together into a community of clean energy generators. The battery technology used by SolarShare aggregates these domestic systems into the equivalent of a larger centralised power plant, not unlike Moneypoint. Moneypoint is the largest electricity generating power plant in Ireland burning coal to generate electricity. The plant’s generating capacity is equivalent to 200,000 domestic solar systems (4kWp).
By being part of the SolarShare VPP, you will be able to sell the excess clean electricity you generate back to the Irish grid and also participate in Load Balancing services with the main Irish grid. Both of these activities will produce additional savings for you.
Being part of the SolarShare VPP does not limit you in any way for future appliances or electric vehicles that you may purchase. In fact, being part of the SolarShare VPP may offer you opportunities to avail of greater discounts on future appliance purchases based on the purchasing power of the SolarShare VPP community.
If you already have solar panels installed on your roof and you have a battery that stores the excess you produce, then SolarShare should be able to connect your system to the SolarShare VPP, although additional equipment may be required.
If you do not have a battery, then you should consider purchasing a battery from SolarShare for storing the excess clean energy you generate. Once we have installed the battery, we will be able to connect your system to the SolarShare VPP.
