Commercial Solar Ireland
We assess your site, confirm grant eligibility, and connect you with a qualified installer. No hard sell — just a clear picture of whether solar makes financial sense for your operation.
Typical commercial project
SEAI grant available
Non-Domestic Microgen
€162k
Typical payback period
After grant deduction
4–7yr
System lifespan
With manufacturer warranty
25yr
Figures are indicative. Your assessment will include project-specific numbers based on your roof, orientation, and electricity usage.
Commercial Solar PV
Commercial solar makes most sense when your monthly electricity bill is above €1,500. If you own or occupy a large commercial or industrial property, the economics are typically straightforward.
Large flat or low-pitch roofs are ideal for commercial solar. Warehouses typically have both the roof area and the daytime energy demand to make solar highly cost-effective.
Commercial buildings with consistent weekday energy demand are well-matched to solar generation profiles. Both owned and leased buildings can benefit, with the right agreement in place.
Agricultural Solar PV
Irish farms consume significant electricity year-round. Between milking equipment, ventilation, lighting, and processing — the daytime demand profile aligns closely with what solar generates.
Typical dairy farm installation
System size
100-cow dairy operation
50 kWp
Annual generation
Estimated Irish output
45 MWh
TAMS 3 support
Subject to scheme eligibility
Up to 60%
Talk to us before applying for TAMS 3. The scheme has application windows and specific eligibility criteria that can affect your entitlement.
Solar PV Grants Ireland
There are two principal grant schemes for commercial and agricultural solar in Ireland. Eligibility and amounts depend on your sector, system size, and application timing.
SEAI
Non-Domestic Microgen Grant
Up to €162,600
Available to commercial businesses, public sector bodies, and community organisations. Covers up to 50% of eligible costs for solar PV systems up to 1,000 kWp. Applications open on a rolling basis.
DAFM
TAMS 3 Solar Grant
Up to 60%
Capital investment grant for Irish farmers under the TAMS 3 scheme. Covers solar PV panels, inverters, and mounting systems for agricultural use. Competitive application process with fixed tranches.
Revenue
Accelerated Capital Allowances
100% Year 1
Solar PV equipment qualifies for Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) under the Sustainable Energy Equipment scheme. Businesses can write off the full cost against corporation tax in year one.
To qualify, you must be a non-domestic electricity customer in Ireland, own or have landlord consent for the premises, and have a system sized between 6 kWp and 1,000 kWp installed by an SEAI-registered contractor. The easiest way to confirm eligibility is to complete our short qualification form — we'll respond within one business day.
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Adjust the inputs below to model your savings, payback period, and 25-year return. Figures are indicative — your free assessment will produce site-specific numbers.
Based on current SEAI grant rates, Irish irradiance data, and typical commercial installation costs.
System size
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Est. kWp
Installed cost
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Before grant
Grant amount
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SEAI Microgen
Net investment
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After grant
Year 1 saving
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Grid + export
Payback period
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Years
25-year total return
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ROI over 25 years
Get a site-specific assessment
Free, no obligation — results within 1 business day
Figures are estimates based on typical Irish commercial solar performance. System size derived from monthly consumption assuming 70% solar self-sufficiency. SEAI grant at €900/kWp capped at €162,600. Export income at 10.5c/kWh on 25% of generation. Peak sun hours: 1,050/yr (Irish average). Actual results depend on site-specific conditions.
Benefits of Solar Energy for Businesses
Electricity prices in Ireland have increased significantly over the past five years. Businesses that generate their own power are insulated from that volatility.
Solar generation directly offsets grid import during daylight hours — typically cutting commercial electricity bills by 40–70% depending on consumption profile and system size.
Once installed, solar generates electricity at a known fixed cost for 25+ years. It removes a portion of your energy exposure from volatile wholesale electricity markets.
Surplus generation is exported to the national grid under the Micro-generation Support Scheme, generating a secondary income stream at a guaranteed minimum rate.
With SEAI grant support and current electricity prices, most commercial systems achieve payback within 4–7 years — delivering 18+ years of net-positive generation thereafter.
Solar PV generates zero-emission electricity. For businesses with sustainability commitments or reporting obligations, solar provides verifiable, measurable carbon reduction.
Commercial solar systems have no moving parts. With periodic panel cleaning and an annual system check, most installations run without significant intervention for their full 25-year lifespan.
Common Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from businesses considering solar for the first time.
To qualify you must be a non-domestic electricity customer, own the premises or have landlord consent, and have a system sized between 6 kWp and 1,000 kWp installed by an SEAI-registered contractor. Agricultural users typically apply through TAMS 3 instead. The quickest way to confirm your eligibility is to complete our qualification form.
Under the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen scheme, the grant is currently €900 per kWp installed, capped at €162,600 per project. Agricultural operators can apply for TAMS 3 which covers up to 60% of eligible capital costs. Accelerated Capital Allowances allow businesses to offset the remaining cost against corporation tax in year one, further improving the economics.
Outright purchase delivers the best long-term return and full SEAI grant eligibility. A PPA requires zero upfront capital — a third party owns the system and sells you power at a discounted rate — but grant funding generally does not apply under PPA structures. We'll model both options based on your situation so you can make an informed decision.
Most commercial rooftop installations are exempt under the Planning and Development Regulations where panels do not project more than 300mm beyond the roof profile and the building is not a protected structure. Ground-mounted systems and installations near protected structures require full planning permission. We confirm planning status during your site assessment.
Yes. Commercial electricity customers can export surplus generation under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) or negotiate export terms with their energy supplier. Export revenue is a secondary benefit — the primary saving comes from reducing grid import. Your assessment will include projected export figures based on your consumption profile.
From first assessment to grid connection, a typical commercial installation takes 8–16 weeks. This includes site survey, design, SEAI grant application (where applicable), procurement, installation, and ESB Networks grid connection. The physical installation itself is usually completed within 3–5 working days for a standard commercial system.
Yes. East-west configurations are increasingly common in commercial solar. While they generate around 15–20% less than an optimal south-facing pitch, they produce power earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon — which often better matches a business's energy demand profile. Modern split-string inverter design handles east-west layouts well.
The most common mistakes: sizing the system based on roof space rather than actual consumption; signing an installer contract before applying for the SEAI grant (which can disqualify you); choosing an unregistered contractor; and underestimating export income. A proper pre-installation assessment avoids all of these — which is exactly what we provide.
Blog
Practical articles for Irish businesses considering solar for the first time. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Grants & funding
Everything Irish businesses need to know about the SEAI grant — eligibility criteria, how much you can claim, and how to apply without losing your entitlement.
Read articleAgricultural
The TAMS 3 scheme offers up to 60% support for farm solar installations — but there are timing rules and eligibility conditions that catch people out. Here's what to check first.
Read articlePlanning & installation
Most commercial rooftop installations are exempt — but there are important exceptions. We explain the planning rules, what triggers a permission requirement, and what to check before proceeding.
Read articleFinance
Power Purchase Agreements require no upfront capital but come with trade-offs. We compare the two models across payback, grant eligibility, and long-term return.
Read articleTechnical
Contrary to what some installers say, east-west split roofs can be well-suited to commercial solar — sometimes better than south-facing. Here's how the numbers work out.
Read articleROI
From sizing errors to grant disqualifications, the mistakes we see most often cost businesses thousands. This is what to get right before you sign anything.
Read articleFree Assessment
Complete the short form below. We'll review your details and respond within one business day with an honest assessment of whether solar is worth pursuing — and what funding you may be entitled to.
Contact
Prefer to speak to someone before completing the form? We're happy to answer questions about your specific situation before you commit to anything.
Coverage
All counties, Republic of Ireland
Response time
Within one business day