Are you having a think about getting solar panels in Ireland? But you’re not really sure what it would cost you or save you? Our completely free to use Solar Panel Cost Calculator is here to save the day. It gives you a quick little estimate of what you could potentially save annually. It will also estimate the system size your home would need and the upfront investment you’d need to put down before applying SEAI grants.
It takes three simple input steps and less than a minute to get your answer. Have a go! And below we explain what each input means. We’ll also explain how to read and interoperate your results. And last of all we’ll talk about the all important grants that can bring that final price down in 2026 in Ireland.
Estimate your potential system size and savings based on your current electricity usage and roof conditions.
*All calculations are estimates. Final system design requires a site survey.
What the Calculator Needs From You
1. Your average monthly electricity bill (€)
Here you’re looking at the most important piece of data in the solar panel cost calculation. Your bill will give us an idea of how much electricity you use. And how much of that electricity solar power could replace. What you’ll be relieved to hear is that the higher your bill is, the more you could end up saving.
2. Your house size and type
Choose the option that closest fits your home:
| Apartment or small terrace (1–2 beds) | Mid-size semi-detached (3–4 beds) | Large detached or estate home (5+ beds) |
By choosing this house type, we get a feel for both your energy needs and how much roof space you’ve probably got available for panels. If roof space is an issue, you can always install ground mounted solar panels in Ireland.
3. Your roof’s suitability
There are 3 main things that can affect the suitability of your roof in Ireland. This means how much electricity your roof can actually produce:
Orientation – south-facing roofs perform the best. East and west-facing roofs also work very very well. They spread generation across the morning and also the evening.
Pitch – whatever angle your roof, affects how directly panels catch the light shining at them.
Shading – trees, chimneys or neighbouring buildings can reduce output. Basically anything that is blocking light from reaching the panel.
Optional: add a solar battery
Tick “Include 10kWh Battery Storage” to see how a battery changes your final calculated costs for your home in Ireland. A battery stores surplus or extra daytime electricity. You can then use it in the evening instead of buying more electricity from the grid. You don’t need one, but they’re a really solid investment.
Understanding Your Results
Estimated annual savings
The bottom line comes down to how much you could really save each year. This is made up of two things. The electricity that you no longer have to buy from the grid. And the payments you receive for surplus electricity you export back to the Irish grid. This is done under the Clean Export Guarantee (see below).
Recommended system size (kWp)
System size is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). This is the max output of your panels in the most ideal conditions possible. Most Irish homes need between 3kWp and 6kWp. this will depend on electricity your own use and your own roof space. This is why every installation is different.
Theres one thing that you should probably keep in mind. The SEAI grant covers systems up to 4kWp. You can install a bigger system if you want to. But any capacity above 4kWp is paid for in full by you. For a lot of households in Ireland a larger system still make the most sense. Especially if you have very high electricity usage or you have an electric vehicle that needs a lot of charging.
Estimated investment cost (€)
This is a clear and honest estimate of the total upfront cost before grants. It covers panels, inverter, mounting, wiring and the professional installation by Solar PV Panels Ireland. But remember its still an estimate. We can’t give an exact quote without knowing about more about your property. Get in touch now to discuss your home.
Grants and Payments That Reduce Your Costs
SEAI Solar PV Grant
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a non-repayable grant. This is based on the size of your system. €700 per kWp for the first 2kWp, plus €200 for each additional kWp up to 4kWp. The maximum grant at the moment in Ireland is €1,800.
| System size | SEAI grant |
| 2kWp | €1,400 |
| 3kWp | €1,600 |
| 4kWp or larger | €1,800 (maximum) |
The grant takes a nice chunk off your upfront cost. But you will still need to cover most of it. Your installer can show you exactly what you’ll pay after the grant. At Solar PV Panels Ireland we are experts in SEAI grants and we’ll handle all the paper work.
SEAI battery grant
The SEAI is also now offering a separate €600 grant. This is towards a home battery. If you’re considering adding battery storage, this makes it much more affordable as it is an expensive add-on.
Enhanced grants for eligible households
Vulnerable households receiving certain Department of Social Protection payments can apply for an enhanced grant. This is a grant of up to €8,400 for solar PV (up to 4kWp). They can also get the €600 for a battery. Check SEAI’s website to see if you qualify.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for an SEAI solar grant:
– Your home must have been built and occupied before the year 2025.
– Your home must have an MPRN (this is the number on your electricity bill).
– There can’t have been a previous solar PV grant paid for the same address.
– You must get grant approval first before any work starts. You then have 8 months to complete the installation. In this time too you must submit your paperwork.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG)
Since 2022, Irish homes with solar have been paid for every unit of surplus or extra electricity they export to the national grid. On sunny days when your panels generate more than you use, the extra goes to the grid. Your energy supplier then pays you for it. Export rates are different with each supplier. they can also change over time, so it’s worth comparing them regularly and trying to find the best rate.
How to Get the Most Accurate Estimate
The solar panel cost calculators estimation is only as good as the information you give it. A few minutes of preparation will make your results much more accurate and reliable.
Use a 12-month average. Electricity use in Ireland swings a lot between winter and the summer months. Don’t just use last month’s bill. Add up your bills for the past year and divide by 12. This will give you an average usage.
Think about the next few years. Planning to buy an electric vehicle? Install a heat pump? Or work from home more often? Each of these will raise your electricity use. If any of these things are the case you might want to think ahead and get a slightly larger system. It may suit you better.
Check which way your roof faces. If you’re not sure, look up your home on an online map with a satellite view. The direction of your largest roof slope is what matters the most. This is an important step.
Be honest about shade. A tall tree or a neighbour’s extension that shades part of your roof in the afternoon can reduce your potential energy output. It doesn’t rule out solar panels. But it should be factored in. If you’re not sure how much of an issue a certain shade is, get in contact with us and we can discuss it.
Consider when you use electricity. Solar produces most energy during the middle of the day. Households who are home during the day, or homes who can run appliances like washing machines and dishwashers then, use more of their own solar power. This means they save more. Is that something you think you can do?
If your answers are rough, don’t worry that’s fine. The calculator is designed to give you a realistic ballpark figure. But at the end of the day, a proper on-site survey will be needed to give you the exact numbers.
Your Next Step
The calculator gives you a reliable starting point. But the reality is every home is different. Before we give you a final quote for solar panels in Ireland, we’ll carry out a professional on-site survey to check your roof, shading and electrical setup. Here we’ll confirm the right system size for your home. Get in contact today with Solar PV Panels Ireland.
