Grant terms, in plain words

The terms you meet on an SEAI solar PV and battery grant application, each in a sentence or two.

Free, no obligation. One local SEAI-registered installer prices it, not five.

€1,400SEAI grant for 2kWp of panels
€2,400most you can get, with a battery
0% VATon solar panels for homes

8-Month SEAI Grant Window Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) Tariff East-West vs South Roof Orientation ESB Networks NC6 Form (20 Working Days)Higher Welfare Rate (€8,400 + €600)Hybrid Inverter & Battery Coupling Immersion Hot Water Diverter kWp System Sizing (2kWp to 5kWp)MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number)Post-Works BER Certificate Prior Approval Rule (Offer First)SEAI Registered Solar PV Company SEAI Solar Panel Grant Tiered Rate Zero-Rate (0%) Solar VAT €600 Home Battery Storage Grant

8-Month SEAI Grant Window

The 8-month validity period from the date SEAI issues your grant offer letter within which the installation, BER assessment, and paperwork submission must be completed.

Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) Tariff

Payment from your electricity supplier for every kilowatt-hour of unused solar electricity exported back to the national grid via an ESB smart meter.

East-West vs South Roof Orientation

A south-facing roof at 30°–40° pitch yields the highest annual kWh per kWp in Ireland, while an east-west split array spreads generation across morning and evening peaks.

ESB Networks NC6 Form (20 Working Days)

The grid connection notification filed by your solar installer with ESB Networks before fitting panels; SEAI requires allowing at least 4 weeks (20 working days) for ESB clearance.

Higher Welfare Rate (€8,400 + €600)

Homeowners on qualifying social welfare payments (such as Fuel Allowance or Working Family Payment) can qualify for up to €8,400 towards 4kWp of solar panels plus €600 for a 5kWh+ battery.

Hybrid Inverter & Battery Coupling

An inverter that manages both rooftop solar DC strings and a 5kWh–10kWh lithium battery, storing daytime solar generation for evening household use.

Immersion Hot Water Diverter

A proportional controller that sends surplus solar power to your hot water cylinder once house loads and battery charging are satisfied.

kWp System Sizing (2kWp to 5kWp)

Solar array capacity measured in kilowatt-peak: 2kWp is roughly 5 to 7 panels, 3kWp is 7 to 9 panels, 4kWp is 9 to 11 panels, and 5kWp is 11 to 13 modern 430W–450W panels.

MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number)

Your 11-digit ESB electricity meter number used on the SEAI online portal to verify that the home was built and occupied before 2025 and has not claimed a solar grant before.

Post-Works BER Certificate

The compulsory Building Energy Rating assessment carried out after your solar panels are installed and before SEAI releases the grant payment.

Prior Approval Rule (Offer First)

SEAI's strict rule that no physical installation work or material delivery on site may begin before your SEAI grant application is approved.

SEAI Registered Solar PV Company

An installer listed on SEAI's official Solar PV register who holds the required electrical certification, insurance, and tax clearance to sign off grant-funded works.

SEAI Solar Panel Grant Tiered Rate

SEAI funds domestic solar PV at €700 per kWp for the first 2kWp (€1,400) and €200 per kWp from 2kWp to 4kWp (€400), giving a maximum €1,800 grant for solar panels alone.

Zero-Rate (0%) Solar VAT

Irish Revenue rule applying 0% VAT to the supply and installation of solar panels on private residential buildings when supplied and fitted by the same contractor.

€600 Home Battery Storage Grant

A flat €600 SEAI grant for a home battery of 5kWh or larger installed with or added to a domestic solar PV system, raising the maximum standard solar grant package to €2,400.