October 2026 has brought some important changes to Ireland’s renewable energy grant schemes, creating new opportunities for homeowners, farmers and businesses considering solar PV installations.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has introduced a new €600 home battery storage grant, while solar PV supports for businesses and agricultural applicants have also been significantly increased. These changes are designed to help more Irish households and businesses generate their own electricity, reduce energy costs and improve long-term energy security.
New €600 SEAI Battery Storage Grant for Homeowners
One of the biggest developments in 2026 is the introduction of a dedicated €600 SEAI Battery Energy Storage System Grant.
This new grant provides financial support for eligible homeowners installing a battery storage system with a capacity of at least 5 kWh.
Previously, homeowners considering battery storage generally had to fund the battery installation themselves without a dedicated SEAI battery grant.
The new support makes it more affordable to store surplus solar electricity and use it later in the day.
Key details of the new grant include:
- A flat-rate grant of €600 for qualifying batteries of 5 kWh or larger.
- Available to eligible homeowners, including private landlords.
- Can be applied for alongside the existing SEAI Solar PV Grant.
- May also be available for eligible battery installations added to existing solar PV systems.
- Installation must be completed by an SEAI-registered solar PV contractor.
- Grant approval must be received before installation work begins.
The existing domestic solar PV grant provides up to €1,800 towards eligible solar panel installations.
This means qualifying homeowners installing both solar panels and battery storage could now receive up to €2,400 in combined SEAI grant support.
The 2026 changes have also extended domestic solar PV grant eligibility to homes built and occupied before 2025, opening the scheme to more properties.
For homeowners (in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare, Kilkenny and Carlow), these changes make it an excellent time to explore solar PV and battery storage options.
Increased Solar PV Grants for Irish Businesses in 2026
Businesses across Ireland can now benefit from significantly enhanced solar PV grant support under the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant scheme.
From October 2026, grant support has been temporarily increased to an effective rate of 45% of eligible installation costs, subject to the scheme’s grant calculations and limits.
The enhanced support applies to eligible new applications during a nine-month window running until 6 July 2027.
The scheme supports solar PV installations up to 1,000 kWp, with a maximum grant offering of €325,200.
This creates a valuable opportunity for businesses looking to reduce electricity costs and invest in renewable energy.
Commercial properties that may benefit include:
- Manufacturing and engineering facilities.
- Warehouses and distribution centres.
- Retail premises and offices.
- Workshops and industrial buildings.
- Hospitality businesses.
- Other commercial properties with suitable electricity demand and roof space.
Solar PV can be particularly attractive for businesses that consume significant electricity during daylight hours, when panels are generating power.
By producing electricity on-site, businesses may be able to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and improve their long-term operating costs.
Important: The enhanced grant rates apply to eligible new applications. Businesses with existing grant offers cannot automatically transfer to the higher rates, and work must not begin before the required grant approval is received.
Enhanced Solar PV Grant Opportunities for Irish Farmers
The agricultural sector is also eligible for the enhanced SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant scheme. This means qualifying farms may be able to access increased solar PV funding under the temporary 2026 support arrangements.
For farmers across (Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare, Kilkenny and Carlow), solar PV can offer significant practical benefits, particularly where electricity is used throughout the day.
Dairy farms, for example, may have substantial electricity requirements associated with:
- Milking equipment and vacuum pumps.
- Milk cooling and refrigeration.
- Water heating.
- Ventilation systems.
- Water pumping.
- General farm electrical operations.
Solar PV can help offset a portion of these electricity requirements, depending on the farm’s consumption patterns and system design. Farmers should also investigate the Department of Agriculture’s Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), including the Solar Capital Investment Scheme, where applicable. The SEAI non-domestic scheme and agricultural grant schemes have different eligibility rules, funding arrangements and application requirements. Farmers should confirm which scheme is appropriate before committing to an installation and should not assume that separate grants can be combined for the same works.
Why These Grant Changes Matter
The new and enhanced grants make 2026 an important year for anyone considering an investment in solar electricity.
For homeowners, the introduction of the €600 battery grant makes energy storage more accessible.
For businesses, increased solar PV support can help reduce the upfront cost of renewable energy investment.
For farmers, enhanced non-domestic support provides another funding option worth investigating alongside existing agricultural schemes.
However, choosing the correct system remains just as important as securing grant funding. Solar PV installations should be designed around actual electricity consumption, available installation space, electrical infrastructure and long-term energy requirements.
Talk to North Cork Electrical About Your Solar Options
At North Cork Electrical, we provide professional solar PV and electrical solutions for residential, agricultural and commercial properties across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare, Kilkenny and Carlow.
Whether you’re considering solar panels for your home, exploring battery storage, or planning a larger solar PV installation for your farm or business, our team can help you assess the options.
With the latest SEAI grant changes now in effect, it’s a good time to review your electricity requirements and explore the potential benefits of solar energy.
Contact North Cork Electrical today to discuss your solar PV or battery storage
project and find out which options may be suitable for your property.