Fifty-six Louth homes installed solar panels in January

New data has revealed that 56 homes in Co. Louth installed solar panels in January with grant support from the SEAI after a record-breaking year for installations in 2024.

January saw over €114,000 in grants awarded under the Solar PV Scheme to Louth households, with €4.6 million awarded in home solar grants across Ireland.

Louth has among the highest solar panel uptake rates in the country per capita, and 2024 was another record year with a 35% increase in installations.

There were 984 solar systems fitted in the county last year.

Nationally, there were 2,324 new solar installations in January, with the highest number recorded in Dublin (433), followed by Cork (264) and Limerick (159).

After the residential solar grant was reduced by €300 at the start of January, solar energy expert Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie has warned of the potential negative impact these reductions could have on the adoption of solar PV.

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“There are different grants available for solar, but the most well-known is the Solar PV Scheme which currently offers homeowners up to €1,800 for rooftop panels,” he said.

“Just two years ago, this grant scheme awarded a maximum of €2,400 – and it is the currently the only programme under threat as it continues to be reduced by €300 each year.”

“The reason the government has given for this is the declining cost of solar PV installations – a trend which they evidently expect to continue.”

“However, this goes against common sense given Ireland’s target of generating 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 – and it also ignores the potentially significant psychological benefits of grants on solar adoption numbers.”