Grants For Commercial Solar Panels in Ireland
Commercial Solar Grant For Irish Businesses
Energy prices have climbed sharply over the last few years and for many Irish businesses, fitting commercial solar panels has felt out of reach. The SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) changes that. The grant helps cover the cost of installing solar PV at your premises, giving qualifying businesses up to €162,600 towards the total price.
It is a straightforward way to make renewable energy affordable and cut your electricity bills for good. In this guide, we explain how the grant works, who can apply, the rates for 2026, and how Resolute Engineering Group supports you through every step of the application.
The Non-Domestic Microgen Grant is part of Ireland’s renewable energy strategy and is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It offers commercial, agricultural, public sector and community sector applicants financial help to install solar PV systems and start generating their own electricity on-site.
The exact grant you receive depends on the size of your system, measured in kilowatt-peak (kWp). Larger systems qualify for a higher payment, up to the maximum amount set by the SEAI for the scheme.
Example Grant Amounts 2026
| System Size | Typical Site | Solar Panel Array | 2026 Grant Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kWp e.g. small retail / café | Single-storey unit | ~30 m² · 14 panels | €2,400 |
| 30 kWp e.g. SME workshop | Industrial unit, ~600 m² roof | ~150 m² · 68 panels | €8,600 |
| 100 kWp e.g. school / clinic | School block, healthcare | ~500 m² · 230 panels | €22,600 |
| 500 kWp e.g. large factory | Manufacturing site | ~2,500 m² · 1,140 panels | €87,600 |
| 1,000 kWp scheme maximum | Large industrial / data centre | ~5,000 m² · 2,275 panels | €162,600 |
€162,600 is the maximum grant, reached at 1,000 kWp. Installations larger than 1,000 kWp receive this maximum amount. All values above match SEAI’s published grant tables.
If you are adding extras such as battery storage or EV chargers, those do not affect your grant value. They can be added to your setup if you wish, but they are not included in the SEAI grant amount.
The grant is paid as a one-time payment directly to the applicant once all installation work has been completed, documented and approved by the SEAI.
How Much is the Grant Worth?
The amount of grant support you receive depends on the size of your solar system. This is measured by the peak generation capacity of your panels, expressed in kilowatt-peak (kWp). The rates are tiered: smaller capacity earns a higher rate per kWp, and the rate steps down as systems scale.
Rates for 2026
- €900 per kWp up to 2 kWp, then €300 per kWp up to 4 kWp, reaching €2,400 which covers systems up to 6 kWp
- €300 per kWp for each kWp from 7 to 20 kWp
- €200 per kWp for each kWp from 21 to 200 kWp
- €150 per kWp for each kWp from 201 to 1,000 kWp
Total Non-Domestic Microgen grant capped at €162,600, reached at 1,000 kWp
Examples for 2026 Rates
- 20 kWp system would receive €6,600 in grant support
- 30 kWp system (approx. 68 panels) would receive €8,600 in grant support
- 100 kWp system (approx. 230 panels) would receive €22,600 in grant support
- 500 kWp system (approx. 1,140 panels) would receive €87,600 in grant support
- 1,000 kWp system or larger receives the maximum of €162,600
What Cost Can Be Covered Under the Solar PV Grant?
The Non-Domestic Microgen grant helps pay for both the equipment and the labour needed to fit a commercial solar PV system. It covers the panels, inverter, mounting gear and all installation work carried out by your SEAI-registered installer. In short, the grant goes directly towards the full cost of getting your solar panels generating at your premises.
Included in the grant
- Solar PV panels✓
- Inverter & DC isolators✓
- Mounting / ballast system✓
- AC & DC cabling✓
- Installation labour✓
- Monitoring hardware✓
Not included
- Battery storage Excluded
- EV charging hardware Excluded
- Roof strengthening Excluded
- Building works Excluded
- VAT on solar PV equipment 0% rate
- Accelerated capital allowances 100% year 1
The 0% VAT rate on solar applies only to private dwellings and recognised schools, not to commercial premises. VAT-registered businesses charge and reclaim VAT in the normal way, and can additionally claim the Accelerated Capital Allowance to write off 100% of qualifying equipment cost against profits in Year 1.
What About Batteries or EV Chargers?
The grant amount is based purely on the installation of solar PV panels and does not include extra funding for batteries, EV chargers or other add-ons. These items can still be installed if you wish, but they will not affect your SEAI grant value. There was previously a separate domestic grant for solar battery storage, though that scheme was discontinued by the SEAI a few years ago.
Funding EV charging separately
Workplace and shared EV charging supports are administered by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) rather than SEAI. Resolute can apply for both in parallel on your behalf: solar PV under SEAI, and charging hardware under ZEVI. If you manage an apartment block, see our guide to the Apartment EV Charging Grant.
Am I Eligible For a Grant?
Most non-residential properties in Ireland can qualify for the Non-Domestic Microgen grant. The vast majority of commercial sites Resolute surveys go on to receive SEAI approval. To check if your business meets the rules, look through the points below:
The applicant owns or holds a long lease on the building where the panels will be installed.
Tenants with landlord consent can also apply jointly.
The site has an active non-domestic MPRN.
Your 11-digit Meter Point Reference Number appears on your electricity bill and is used by SEAI for all correspondence.
The proposed solar PV system is between 1 kWp and 1,000 kWp.
Sites larger than 1,000 kWp can still install but only the first 1,000 kWp is grant-eligible.
Works begin only after written SEAI approval is received.
Ordering equipment or starting work before the letter of offer voids the application. Grant offers are valid for eight months from the date of your letter of offer.
Installation is carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor.
Resolute is on the SEAI Solar PV Register and submits all post-works declarations for you.
All materials and products used are new and meet SEAI’s installation standards.
Second-hand or refurbished components are not permitted under the scheme.
The site has not previously received SEAI solar PV support.
Only one solar PV system can be supported per MPRN, and premises that already received SEAI funding for solar PV are not eligible for a second grant. We confirm your site's status during the free survey.
SEAI Solar Grant Calculator
SEAI solar grant values for residential homes, businesses, commercial sites, public buildings and other non-commercial organisations. Choose your grant type below:
SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant
The main support for solar panels on non-residential buildings. Open to businesses, schools, farms, community centres and non-profits. Supports systems from 1 kWp up to 1,000 kWp. Maximum grant: €162,600.
How Can I Find the Most Appropriate System Size for My Building?
The right solar system depends on how much electricity your business uses and how much roof or ground space you have available. A good installer will pull at least 12 months of half-hourly consumption data from ESB Networks, review roof orientation and structural capacity, and model annual yield for your location. Most Irish commercial sites sit between 50 kWp and 350 kWp, but the exact size varies considerably by sector.
The easiest way to be sure is to get an SEAI-registered installer onto the roof for a survey and let them work out what will deliver the best payback for your business.
Can we install a system larger than 1,000 kWp?
You can, and many manufacturing and distribution sites need it. Just remember the SEAI grant only covers the first 1,000 kWp. Anything bigger will not get extra Microgen funding, though you can still install it. Projects beyond 1,000 kWp typically apply for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) instead, which works as a long-term price guarantee rather than an upfront grant.
Does the grant only cover roof-mounted solar PV panels?
No, it is not limited to the roof. If your roof does not suit, perhaps due to structural limits, shading or orientation, you can install a ground-mounted system instead, provided it meets SEAI rules for the grant. Many rural and agricultural sites choose this option when they have plenty of space outside.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Install Solar Panels?
No. SEAI grant approval is not tied to planning permission. Most commercial sites can add panels without it, provided the installation follows normal guidelines.
What are the Planning Permission Rules for Commercial Solar Panels?
For most commercial and industrial buildings in Ireland, you no longer need planning permission to put solar panels on the roof. The rules changed in 2022 and the old 50% roof-area cap was dropped for industrial, business and agricultural sites. You can now cover your full roof if your engineer signs off on the structural load.
A few exceptions still apply. Buildings inside Solar Safeguarding Zones (typically near aerodromes), protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas may still need permission, and larger ground-mounted arrays may require a planning application. We confirm your site’s planning position during the free survey.
How Do I Apply for a Solar PV Grant?
Applying for the SEAI grant is straightforward once you know the steps. You just need to follow the process in order and make sure everything is done by an approved installer. Resolute prepares and manages every stage with you.
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Pick Your Solar Installation Company Choose an SEAI-registered installer before submitting the application. Their registration number, project reference and design summary all go on the application form, so they need to be appointed first.
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Apply via the SEAI Website You submit the grant application online through the SEAI portal as the MPRN holder, with Resolute preparing the application pack and guiding you through each field. Wait for the letter of offer before any work begins. Starting early voids the grant. Offers are valid for eight months.
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ESB Networks Connection Application Once your letter of offer arrives, Resolute applies to ESB Networks (NC6/NC7) to connect your system to the electricity network. This must happen before installation and takes at least four weeks.
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Get Your Panels Installed With SEAI approval and the ESB application in motion, your installer fits the solar panels, inverter and any other equipment agreed in your quote.
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We Handle the Paperwork & Updated BER Certificate After installation, Resolute submits the declaration of works and supporting documentation to SEAI, and helps you obtain an updated BER certificate from an SEAI-registered assessor where required.
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Receive Your Grant Payment When all documents are approved by SEAI, the grant is paid directly to you as a one-time payment. Allow four to six weeks from the point all documentation is submitted, with additional time if your installation is selected for an SEAI inspection.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
Before you start your application for the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen grant, it helps to have a few details ready. Getting these together early makes the process quick and stress-free.
- MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number): The 11-digit number on your electricity bill. SEAI uses it for all correspondence, so make sure the address and details registered with ESB Networks are correct.
- 12 months of consumption data: Your last year of electricity bills, or your ESB Networks data download, so the system can be sized to your actual load.
- Company VAT & CRO number: Required for the applicant’s identity check on the SEAI portal.
- An SEAI-registered installer appointed: Resolute’s registration details will be entered on your behalf.
- Basic system information: Proposed kWp size, panel count, inverter model and roof or ground layout. Your installer provides this.
- Contact email address: SEAI correspondence is sent by email to the named applicant.
Applications must be made by the entity holding the MPRN, not by the installer or a third-party agent. We understand how the paperwork can feel complicated, so our team supports you through every step.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Allow four to six weeks from the point your installer has submitted all post-works documentation to SEAI, with additional time if the installation is selected for inspection. The biggest factor in fast payment is complete paperwork, which is why Resolute uploads everything within days of completion.
No. You need to pick a registered SEAI installer first because their details go on your application. They also help with the paperwork to make sure everything meets SEAI’s requirements.
Yes. You pay your installer for the full job and then the grant amount is reimbursed directly to you by SEAI once everything is approved. It is a refund process, not an upfront discount.
Mixed-use sites are assessed on the basis of how the MPRN is registered with ESB Networks. If yours is currently domestic but the building is actually used commercially, we help you arrange the change of classification before applying.
Absolutely. You can start with panels only and add a battery later when it suits you. Just remember the SEAI grant only covers the solar panels themselves, not the battery system.
Yes. We prepare the entire SEAI application pack with you, guide you through the portal submission, and handle the post-installation declaration of works and documentation. If you have questions along the way, just ask and we will be glad to help.
You can install a larger system but only the first 1,000 kWp qualifies for Microgen funding, capped at €162,600. Larger projects usually move onto the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which uses a long-term price-floor structure rather than a capital grant.
Yes. Farmers can claim 60% of installation costs under TAMS 3, up to a €90,000 investment ceiling, which often beats the NDMG for holdings under 62 kW. Eligible schools can get up to 6 kWp fully funded under the Solar for Schools Programme. We assess every route and apply for whichever pays most.