New solar PV and battery grants
Erribul Electrical welcomes the announced expansion of Government support for solar PV and battery storage. The package includes a new €600 grant for home battery storage, wider eligibility for residential solar grants and increased funding for businesses installing solar.
Announced by Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien, the measures form part of a broader package to reduce energy costs and support home upgrades. The schemes are scheduled to open from 6 October 2026, subject to final implementation arrangements.
The supports aim to make solar and battery storage more accessible to households, people at risk of energy poverty, medically vulnerable customers, qualifying rental properties and businesses
New homeowner Grants
A new €600 grant for residential battery storage will help households make greater use of the electricity generated by their solar panels.
A battery stores surplus solar electricity produced during the day for use later, helping reduce the amount of electricity a household needs to buy from the grid.
Eligibility for the existing SEAI solar PV grant of up to €1,800 is also being extended. Homes built and occupied before 2025 will qualify, replacing the previous requirement that properties be built and occupied before 2021.
Government estimates suggest that a 4 kWp solar PV system installed with battery storage could deliver combined household energy savings of up to €878 a year. Actual savings will depend on electricity use, system performance and energy tariffs.
Additional help for eligible households
The package includes enhanced support for households that may find the upfront cost of solar and battery storage difficult to afford.
Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, eligible households will be offered fully funded solar PV systems of up to 4 kWp, alongside 5 kWh of battery storage.
Eligible homeowners receiving certain Department of Social Protection payments will be able to access grants of up to €9,000 towards a solar PV system of up to 4 kWp with a 5 kWh battery.
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme will also be expanded to include fully funded solar PV systems of up to 4 kWp and 5 kWh of battery storage.
A pilot programme under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) will offer grants of up to €9,000 for solar PV and battery installations in qualifying homes.
Increased solar grants for businesses
Businesses will benefit from a temporary increase in support under the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant Scheme.
For a period of nine months, grant funding will rise from approximately 23% to 45% of eligible installation costs, helping more businesses invest in solar and reduce their electricity bills.
The Government estimates that around 1,250 businesses could benefit, with an average installation potentially delivering annual energy savings of approximately €12,000. Savings will vary depending on the system installed and the business’s electricity use.
Support for heat pumps and solar thermal installations under the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme will also increase to 45% of eligible costs.
A welcome step towards more affordable energy
At Erribul Electrical, we welcome these measures and the opportunities they create for households and businesses to lower their energy costs.
Upfront installation costs can be a barrier to choosing solar. Wider grant eligibility and additional battery support will help more people generate their own electricity and use it when they need it.
The new battery grant is particularly welcome. Battery storage helps households use more of their solar generation, including in the evening when their panels are producing less electricity.
The enhanced supports for lower-income and medically vulnerable households are also a positive step, helping bring the benefits of solar to people who may need them most.
For businesses, increased grant funding offers an opportunity to reduce running costs, gain greater control over electricity bills and make a long-term investment in their premises.
Application details and next steps
The new and expanded supports are scheduled to open from 6 October 2026, subject to final implementation arrangements. SEAI will publish further information on eligibility, application procedures and the terms and conditions of each scheme.
Erribul Electrical looks forward to helping homeowners and businesses understand the available supports and choose a solar PV and battery system suited to their needs.
To discuss solar PV or battery storage for your home or business, contact Erribul Electrical or visit eersltd.ie.
