Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
486. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether there is currently any indigenous manufacturing activity in Ireland involved in the production of solar photovoltaic technology, including cells or modules; the scale and capacity of any such activity, including any supports provided through Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30154/26]
View answerIreland does not have indigenous, commercial scale manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells or finished PV modules. Global solar panel manufacturing is currently highly concentrated internationally and characterised by very large-scale, capital-intensive production. In that context, Ireland’s domestic activity and competitive advantage lies in high value engineering, installation, project development, power electronics, digital systems and services; innovation led diversification, including energy management software, smart grids and end of life solutions such as recycling and circular economy initiatives; and the progressive movement up the value chain rather than commodity manufacturing alone. Ireland adds value to solar where electrons meet the grid, leveraging high -value electronics, software and systems expertise rather than manufacturing panels.
Irish companies operate in the following areas across the solar value chain:
• Project development, EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) and Installation at residential, commercial, agri and utilities scale.
• Grid integration & power electronics.
• Energy storage, controls & system optimisation.
• Operations, asset management & digital energy services.
Enterprise Ireland supports several Irish owned companies across the solar value chain through productivity to build scale, innovation, digitalisation and export focused supports. As more companies in the sector deliver scale, build international market presence and deepen technical capability, the business case for higher value domestic manufacturing opportunities—such as advanced assembly, component production and niche manufacturing with export potential—becomes increasingly realistic in response to evolving technology and market requirements.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to support the evolution of Ireland’s solar sector with a strong focus on innovation capability, skills development, productivity improvement and international competitiveness, while remaining open to domestic manufacturing opportunities that can be sustainably developed over time and compete successfully in export markets.
The IDA’s 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, places an emphasis on partnering with companies to retain and renew this significant economic contribution. IDA is focused on partnering with existing clients to transform, innovate and expand their Irish operations and on winning investment from companies that are new to Ireland.
The strategy targets 1,000 investments to drive new R&D spend of €7bn, new job creation of 75,000, the upskilling of 40,000 people, and a 35% reduction in IDA client carbon emissions.
In pursuit of these targets, IDA will retain a focus on new growth opportunities across a discrete set of core sectors. These are Technology; Content, Consumer and Business Services; International Financial Services; Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals & Food; Medical Technologies; Engineering & Green Economy; and Emerging Business.
Across these sectors, IDA’s FDI strategy identifies and responds to key growth drivers including digitalisation and AI, semiconductors, sustainability and health.
IDA Ireland’s existing grant supports aim to attract investment to Ireland and to drive productivity and competitiveness improvements in client operations in Ireland. IDA supports are aligned to the strategic objectives of IDA’s 2025-29 strategy, and to national enterprise objectives.
• Green Capital grants to promote competitiveness enhancing investments in decarbonisation and energy efficiency.
• RD&I grants to incentivise clients to engage with and scale their focus on innovative investments that add to the high-value mandate of Irish sites.
• Training grants to incentivise clients to upskill their workforce at a time of accelerating technological change and position Irish sites as exemplars for talent development in the wider corporate group.
• Employment and capital grants for clients in eligible regional locations to support investment in new job creation and expansion of activities.
