Solar Blog & Latest News
Stay informed with the latest updates and insights in solar energy
MREF Calls for Stronger Solar and Battery Storage Support in Budget 2027
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has called on the Government to make renewable energy a key priority in Budget 2027, urging increased investment in solar PV and battery storage to help reduce energy costs, improve energy security and accelerate Ireland’s transition to clean electricity. In its pre-Budget submission, MREF says
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) Pre-Budget 2027 Submission
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has published its Pre-Budget 2027 Submission, setting out the measures it believes the Government must take to keep Ireland’s micro-generation sector on track to deliver the country’s climate action targets. The submission welcomes the progress of recent years – including the decision to hold the
MREF calls for Government action to improve grant supports for micro-generation
In light of the serious developing global energy crisis, which is driving up electricity prices, the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (www.mref.ie) has called on the Government to immediately take practical action to accelerate the adoption of micro-generation of renewable power by homes, farms and businesses across the country. The Chairperson of
Growing Delays in Grid Applications Continue to Frustrate Solar Customers
At Eco Horizon, we are seeing a growing level of frustration among our customers due to ongoing delays with grid connection applications managed by ESB Networks. Over the past 12–18 months, customers installing solar PV systems have increasingly experienced significant waiting times for the processing of NC7 and NC8 applications
TAMS Solar Scheme Changes Spark Concern
Managing Director of Eco Horizon, Ciaran Kells, was recently featured on Agriland, where he spoke about the Minister’s decision to reject the majority of solar grant applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). TAMS includes ten different support measures, one of which is the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS).
MREF calls for higher grants for solar PV and new grants for battery storage in Government response to energy crisis
Friday 20th March 2026 – The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (www.mref.ie) has called on the Government to increase the supports available for solar PV installations for homes, farms and businesses by at least 25% to empower everyone to take practical actions to counter the emerging energy crisis. Ciaran Kells, Chairman of MREF, said that the
Why Recent Changes to Solar Supports Matter for Farmers and Solar Projects in Ireland
The renewable‑energy landscape in Ireland is facing a significant moment of change. On 30 November 2025, the Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) accused the government of effectively sidelining the on‑farm solar support scheme under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 3 (TAMS 3). Under the newly introduced ranking and selection criteria
Budget 2026 Boosts Solar and Microgeneration in Ireland
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation (MREF) has welcomed key measures in Budget 2026 aimed at supporting Ireland’s transition to renewable energy. The budget extends the €400 income disregard for households selling micro-generated renewable power back to the grid, now in place until 2028. This move encourages more homeowners and farms to
Eco Horizon and MREF Seek Clarity From Huawei Solar
Recent UK media reports have suggested that Huawei may scale back or withdraw some of its solar PV products from the UK market by the end of 2025. While these reports have raised questions, Irish solar customers can rest assured Huawei has confirmed that it remains fully committed to the
Top 5 Reasons to get Solar PV in Ireland in 2023
Ireland is not exactly known for its long streaks of sunshine. But a little known fact is that Ireland gets about 70% of the sun’s generation that Spain does, making it a great candidate for Solar PV – especially in these modern times! If you look at a solar panel
Imminent Microgeneration Support Scheme to Replace Solar Electricity Grant
Act Now to Reap the Benefits of Both! The government is currently in the process of designing a Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) which would essentially allow individuals, farmers, businesses and community groups to sell their excess renewable electricity into the grid. What is the Microgeneration Support Scheme? The scheme would
Ireland set to have 70% Renewables in its Electricity Mix by 2030
The European Commission have agreed to support the production of electricity from renewable resources in Ireland. They have approved a scheme, named the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), that will provide assistance to the renewable electricity industry. The scheme will be in line with EU State aid rules and will
Clouds are brewing over Irelands Solar Market
In 2017, Ireland’s first National Mitigation Plan outlined a crucial pathway to meet decarbonisation targets. The overall target for European Union for 2020, was reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. At the global level, there was a sharp decline in costs of solar photo-voltaic technology, which resulted in a
Will the SEAI solar grant be affected? the bottom line
With the shock news about the deep retrofit funding drying up, and then the complete reversal of the decision to end the scheme, Homeowners are increasingly worried about whether or not the Solar PV Pilot Grant and other grant schemes will be affected. Richard Bruton (Minister for Communications, climate action
Credit Union roll out pilot Solar PV Scheme
Fantasic News from the Credit Union Solutions Centre. In a move that will be very welcome to the Irish public, twenty credit unions across the country will soon be rolling out funding to help homeowners massively improve their energy efficiency. The Pro Energy Homes Scheme (PEHS) will offer loans of an
The time is now for Farm solar PV
The news every farmer with high electrical consumption wanted to hear has finally arrived. TAMS II is now open to rooftop and ground mounted SOLAR PV. This news has come at a fantastic time as we are now seeing a break in the weather and Irish farmers are eager to
The news we have been waiting for is finally here!
Our calls have finally been answered! Denis Naughten has given the go ahead for Ireland to see its first residential PV Support scheme to see a trail run starting this summer. This news was announced at the Irish Renewable Energy Summit 2018. Naughten stressed that the grant aided pilot scheme
Meet the new voice of Micro Solar Power in Ireland.
With a lack of an association to lobby for the micro solar PV sector, it is hard for our opinions to be heard. Recent feedback from the SEAI stated that the micro-generation sector needed a united voice. This could be a concise platform to input the development of policy around
Time For Batteries To Shine
Over the past decade, the island has embarked on radical reforms to deliver a power system that can operate with a penetration of 75% of non-synchronous generation (wind, HVDC interconnectors and solar) at any one time. This metric is called SNSP – system non-synchronous penetration level. A key step in
Solar Support Falls Short!
After months of delay, the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE) published its consultation on the design of a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) in Ireland to encourage sufficient levels of renewable energy and meet national and European Union (EU) targets. SmartSolar the online Solar publication have