Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
193. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the annual spend on grants for domestic solar installation over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40977/26]
View answerThe Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations through grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The first phase of the MSS saw the introduction of the domestic solar PV grant on 16 February 2022. Domestic applicants can apply to the SEAI for a grant towards the cost of installing solar PV panels. In 2022 and 2023, the grants were €900/kWp up to 2kWp, and a further €300/kWp between 2kWp and 4kWp, for a total maximum grant amount of €2,400. In 2024, the maximum grant was reduced to €2,100 and in 2025 to €1,800. This has been maintained for 2026.
The Domestic Solar PV Grant Scheme has gone from strength to strength since its launch, with over 10,000 applicants supported in 2022, at a cost of over €24.4 million and a total installed capacity of 46.5MW. 2023 proved even more successful, with domestic solar installation further supported by the Government decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises’ from 1 May 2023. The Domestic Solar PV grant was allocated €29.4m in Budget 2023, which was projected to support an installed capacity of 55.6MW in 12,500 homes. By the end of 2023, 22,214 homes had received grant supports, to a total value €52.2m. In 2024, over 28,000 homes received grant supports to the value of €62.2m. In 2025, over 33,000 homes received grant supports to the value of €63m. This high level of demand, which is continuing into 2026, indicates that the scheme is working very well and that citizens are recognising the benefits of investing in Solar PV.
Support for the Domestic Solar PV Scheme has been set out in the Table attached.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
€7,353,320 |
€9,408,725 |
€24,431,240 |
52,155,150 |
€62,235,905 |
€63,060,760 |
€18,400,000 |
Notes: Data from 2020 till 2026 (End April)
