Over 170,000 solar PV systems have been installed on rooftops around the country. The installed capacity, which amounts to over one gigawatt (GW), is a major milestone, according to Solar Ireland.

Over the past four years - and in particular since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia - which resulted in a spike in energy prices, the economics of rooftop solar PV have been transformed.

This has in part been helped by grant aid support available under the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI) grants and the Targeted Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme.

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According to the ESB, approximately 50,000 solar installations are being completed annually on homes, farms, businesses and within communities.

With TAMS in particular, farmers are seeing payback periods of 2–5 years, depending on their usage.

2030 capacity

Rooftop solar is projected to continue growing strongly through 2026, contributing to Ireland’s target of 8GW of total solar capacity by 2030.

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien welcomed the achievement: “Reaching 1GW of rooftop solar is a milestone that belongs to communities across Ireland.

"Households, farms, sports clubs, small businesses and community groups are now generating their own clean power, reducing their bills and cutting emissions.”