One in 19 Louth homes received solar grants

One in every 19 households in Louth (5.33%) received a grant for solar panels between 2020 and June 2025, according to new research by EnergyEfficiency.ie.

The analysis, based on SEAI and Census data, shows there was a sharp increase in solar PV adoption each year over the period analysed, with 2,631 grants awarded in total. Of those, over 993 installations were carried out in 2024, compared to just 99 in 2020.

The average home solar system size increased from 3.43 kWp in 2020 to 5.88 kWp in the first six months of 2025, however this was the second smallest after Dublin. 

At the other end of the scale, the average system size in Tipperary was 6.54 kWp, which is around 14 panels.

Some €5,859,840 was awarded under the SEAI’s Solar PV Scheme to help homeowners with the initial costs of solar in Louth, and households invested over €28.1 million in installations, including batteries.

The total grant-assisted solar capacity in Louth was 13,409 kWp, placing the county among the leading areas in the north-east.

Nationally, there were over 81,000 Solar PV Scheme grants awarded, with over €914 million spent by households for home solar panels.

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“Ireland is making strong progress in renewable energy, with households installing larger solar systems than ever before,” said Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie.

“Our analysis shows that solar uptake has risen sharply despite reductions in grants over the past two years.

“This is being driven by decreasing installation costs, increasing energy prices, and an increased awareness about the benefits of solar.

“Many homeowners with solar save over €1,000 each year on their energy bills, and with multiple energy companies increasing their rates this month, we are expecting a lot more households to join them in the coming year.”