Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?
For most owner-occupied homes with a usable roof, yes. A typical 10-panel system costs €6,500–€7,200 after the SEAI grant, saves about €991 a year and pays for itself in 7 years.
The numbers for a typical home
- Cost after grant: €6,500–€7,200
- Electricity generated: about 3,900 kWh a year
- Saving: about €991 a year
- Payback: 7 years
- Over 25 years: about €23,275 saved, after allowing €1,500 for one inverter replacement
Based on 35c per kWh for bought electricity, 19c per kWh for exports and 40% of generation used in the home, held flat for 25 years.
Payback by system size
| System | Price before grant | SEAI grant | Price after grant | Saving per year | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 panels (2.6 kWp) | €6,500–€7,300 | €1,520 | €4,980–€5,780 | €584 | 9–10 yrs |
| 10 panels (4.4 kWp) Most common | €8,300–€9,000 | €1,800 | €6,500–€7,200 | €991 | 7 yrs |
| 14 panels (6.2 kWp) | €10,500–€11,500 | €1,800 | €8,700–€9,700 | €1,397 | 6–7 yrs |
| 20 panels (8.8 kWp) | €14,000–€15,500 | €1,800 | €12,200–€13,700 | €1,981 | 6–7 yrs |
When solar panels are not worth it
- The only usable roof faces north or is heavily shaded for most of the day
- You expect to move within a few years, before the system has paid back
- The roof needs replacing soon, since the panels would have to come off again
- Your electricity use is very low, so there is little to offset
- You rent, or do not control the roof
What makes them pay back faster
- Running the dishwasher, washing machine and immersion during the day
- Charging an electric car or running a heat pump from solar
- Claiming the SEAI grant, which every eligible home should do
- Sizing the system to your use: see the price calculator
New to solar?
The guide to solar panels in Ireland covers how they work, the grant, planning rules and what suppliers pay for exports.