There could be an important new support for Irish homeowners considering solar battery storage, with a €600 grant for home solar batteries set to be announced in the upcoming Budget.
The Irish Times is reporting that the proposed battery grant would be paid in addition to the existing SEAI Solar PV Grant of up to €1,800.
For homeowners considering solar, this could make investing in both solar panels and battery storage more accessible.
What support is currently available?
The SEAI Solar PV Grant currently provides eligible homeowners with support towards the installation of solar panels.
The grant is calculated based on the size of the solar PV system:
- €700 per kWp for the first 2kWp
- €200 for each additional kWp up to 4kWp
- Maximum grant of €1,800
SEAI confirms that the maximum domestic Solar PV Grant remains €1,800 in 2026.
There are eligibility requirements for the scheme, including that the home must have been built and occupied before 2021.
What is the proposed €600 battery grant?
The proposed €600 battery grant would be an additional support for homeowners installing solar battery storage.
According to The Irish Times, the €600 payment is intended to be available in addition to the existing solar PV grant.
A solar battery allows excess electricity generated by your solar panels to be stored rather than going unused. That stored energy can then be used later when your solar panels are producing less electricity.
This can be particularly useful for households that use more electricity in the evening, when solar generation is lower.
However, the €600 battery grant has not yet been formally launched, so homeowners should wait for the Budget announcement and final scheme details before assuming they are eligible.
What about 0% VAT on solar panels?
There is also an existing 0% VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels on private dwellings.
Revenue confirms that the zero rate applies to the supply and installation of solar panels on or adjacent to private dwellings.
This means eligible homeowners can currently benefit from zero VAT on the supply and installation of their solar panels.
The zero VAT rate applies specifically to private dwellings. It does not automatically apply to commercial, industrial or other non-residential buildings.
What could this mean for homeowners?
If the proposed battery grant is confirmed as reported, homeowners could potentially benefit from three forms of support when considering solar:
- Up to €1,800 SEAI grant towards solar PV
- €600 proposed grant towards battery storage
- 0% VAT on the supply and installation of solar panels on private dwellings
The battery support would be a particularly notable addition because battery storage has not previously had a dedicated domestic SEAI grant.
At Eco Horizon, we believe good information is important when making a decision about solar. The right system will depend on the individual home, electricity usage, roof, available space and how much energy is being used throughout the day and evening.
A battery is not necessarily the right choice for every household, which is why a proper assessment of the property and its energy needs is important.
What happens next?
The €600 battery grant is expected to be addressed as part of the upcoming Budget. The final announcement should provide more information about eligibility, how the grant will work, when it will begin and how homeowners will be able to apply.
Until those details are officially confirmed, the existing SEAI Solar PV Grant and current VAT arrangements remain the relevant supports for homeowners considering solar.
Eco Horizon will continue to follow the announcement and share the confirmed details once they are available.
Thinking about solar for your home? A site survey and individual assessment are the best way to determine what size solar system and battery, if any, would suit your household.
