You have two or three solar panel quotes on the kitchen table and the prices are thousands of euro apart. Which one is fair? We read the ten best-ranking Irish guides on solar quotes so you don’t have to. They agree on the basics: get around three quotes, use SEAI-registered installers, and don’t just pick the cheapest. What most of them skip is how to actually check a quote. This guide gives you the numbers and the simple sums to do it yourself in ten minutes.
The short answer
- A typical 4 to 5 kWp home system (about 10 to 12 panels, no battery) usually comes in around €6,500 to €9,500 before the grant in 2026.
- The SEAI grant is up to €1,800, so most families pay roughly €5,000 to €7,700 for that size of system.
- A fair quote usually works out at about €1,600 to €2,100 per kWp before the grant. Small systems cost more per kWp; bigger ones less.
- Solar on homes is charged at 0% VAT. If you see 13.5% or 23% on a domestic quote, ask why.
- Batteries are a separate decision. Ask for the price of the battery on its own line.
What solar panel quotes cost in Ireland in 2026
The ten top-ranking guides quote slightly different figures, but they land in the same range. Here is a combined view. Treat it as a sense check, not a price list. Your roof, access and equipment choices will move the number.
| System size | Typical panels | Before grant | SEAI grant | Typical payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 kWp | 6 to 8 | €5,000 to €7,300 | €1,400 to €1,600 | 7 to 10 years |
| 4 to 5 kWp | 10 to 12 | €6,500 to €9,500 | €1,800 | 5 to 8 years |
| 6 kWp and up | 14 to 20 | €8,500 to €13,000+ | €1,800 | 5 to 7 years |
| Battery add-on | n/a | €1,300 to €7,000 | Separate battery grant | Depends on tariff |
For a fuller breakdown, see our cost of solar panels in Ireland guide and how much solar panels cost per month.
The 3 sums that tell you if a quote is fair
This is the part the other guides leave out. You only need a calculator.
1. Price per kWp
Take the price before the grant and divide it by the system size in kWp. Example: €8,400 for 4.4 kWp = about €1,909 per kWp. That sits inside the normal €1,600 to €2,100 band. If a quote is well above €2,300 per kWp without a battery, ask what is driving it (difficult roof, three storeys, premium panels). If it is well below €1,400, ask what is missing.
Why use the before-grant price? Because some quotes show only the after-grant figure, which makes a small system look cheap. The grant is the same €1,800 cap whoever installs it, so it tells you nothing about value.
2. Expected yearly output
A good quote states how many kWh the system should produce each year. As a rough guide, a well-placed system in Ireland makes somewhere around 800 to 950 kWh per kWp per year on a south-facing roof, and a bit less on east-west. So 4.4 kWp should be quoted at roughly 3,500 to 4,200 kWh a year. A quote that promises far more than this is optimistic. A quote with no figure at all is a red flag.
3. Cost per unit over 25 years
Divide the price after grant by the yearly kWh, then by 25 (a typical panel warranty). Example: €6,600 ÷ 3,700 kWh ÷ 25 years = about 7 cent per kWh. Compare that with the 30-plus cent you pay for a unit from the grid and you can see why solar pays back. It also lets you compare a smaller, cheaper quote with a bigger, dearer one on an equal footing.
A simple savings rule of thumb used by several Irish guides is about €200 a year for every kWp installed, if you use a good share of the power at home. Our article are solar panels worth it in Ireland goes through the payback maths in more detail.
What every solar quote should list
If any of these are missing, ask the installer to add them in writing before you compare prices.
- Panels: brand, model, wattage and number of panels. “Tier 1 panels” on its own is not enough.
- Total size in kWp and which roof slope each panel goes on.
- Inverter: brand, model and size in kW, and whether it is hybrid (battery-ready). See our hybrid inverter guide.
- Battery (if any): brand and usable kWh, priced on its own line.
- Estimated yearly generation in kWh.
- Extras: scaffolding, bird mesh, hot water diverter, monitoring app, isolators and any fuse board work.
- Paperwork: ESB Networks NC6 notification, SEAI grant application support and the post-works BER (and who pays for it).
- VAT shown at 0% for a domestic supply-and-install job.
- Warranties: panel product, panel performance, inverter, battery and the installer’s own workmanship warranty, each with a number of years.
- Payment terms: deposit amount and when the balance is due.
Worked example: comparing three real-world style quotes
Here is how three typical quotes for a 3-bed semi might look once you put them side by side. These are illustrations, not real companies.
| Quote A | Quote B | Quote C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline price | €6,950 “after grant” | €8,600 before grant | €12,900 before grant |
| Before-grant price | €8,750 | €8,600 | €12,900 |
| System | 4.4 kWp, panels unnamed | 5.4 kWp, named panels, 5 kW hybrid inverter | 4.4 kWp + 10 kWh battery |
| Price per kWp | €1,989 | €1,593 | Ask for battery price split |
| Extras | Scaffolding “if needed” | Bird mesh, diverter, scaffolding included | Scaffolding included |
| Workmanship warranty | Not stated | 10 years | 5 years |
Quote A looks cheapest because it shows the after-grant price, but per kWp it is the dearest of the solar-only quotes and it leaves key details out. Quote B gives you more panels for less money and a clear spec. Quote C may be good value, but you can only tell once the battery is priced separately and compared against our battery storage guide. In this example, B is the one to shortlist.
Red flags on a solar quote
- A price given over the phone or from a satellite photo with no survey offered.
- “Today only” discounts or pressure to sign on the first visit.
- Only an after-grant price, or “free solar” claims. Read our guide on what free solar really means.
- No panel or inverter model numbers.
- Savings figures that assume you use every unit at home, or that leave out the export rate used.
- A large deposit up front, or work booked before your SEAI grant is approved.
- The company is not on the SEAI list of registered solar PV companies.
- Vague answers on who actually does the install (own team or subcontractors) and who handles warranty claims.
Insights most quote guides miss
Never sign or pay before the grant letter
The SEAI grant must be approved before any work starts. If the installer starts early, you can lose the €1,800. Once approved you have a set time to finish the job and the post-works BER. Check the current rules, including the build-and-occupancy date, on the SEAI Solar Electricity Grant page. Our solar grants Ireland page and SEAI battery grant guide explain the steps.
Size for how you use power, not just roof space
The grant stops growing at 4 kWp, but that doesn’t mean you should stop there. If you have an EV, heat pump or are home during the day, a bigger system often pays back faster because the per-kWp price falls. If the house is empty all day and you have no battery or diverter, a modest system may be the better buy. Ask each installer what usage they assumed, and bring 12 months of bills or smart meter data. Our solar panels and system options page helps here.
Check the export rate in the savings
Any power you don’t use goes to the grid. In 2026 Irish suppliers pay roughly 15 to 25 cent per kWh exported, and you need a smart meter to get paid. A quote that uses the highest rate on the market, or assumes rates never change, will overstate your savings. Rates change, so check your supplier’s current clean export guarantee.
A diverter can beat a battery on value
A hot water diverter sends spare solar into your immersion. It costs a fraction of a battery, and for many Irish homes with a hot water cylinder it is the cheapest way to use more of your own power. Ask each installer to price it as an option.
Ask what happens if the installer closes
Panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturer, but the workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Ask whether it is insurance-backed, and get the manufacturer warranty details in your own name.
Power cuts
A standard grid-tied system switches off during a power cut for safety. If backup matters to you, ask specifically for a battery with backup (EPS) and which circuits it covers.
Questions to ask every installer
- Are you SEAI-registered and Safe Electric registered?
- Will your own team do the install?
- What yearly kWh do you expect, and what self-use and export rate did you assume?
- Is scaffolding, bird mesh and the BER included?
- Can you show me a layout drawing for my roof?
- What deposit do you need, and when is the balance due?
- Who do I call if the system stops working in year three?
Want a printable side-by-side checklist? Our compare solar quotes page has one, and our guide to finding the best solar installers in Ireland covers vetting in more depth.
FAQs
How many solar quotes should I get?
Three is the sweet spot. Fewer and you have nothing to compare against; more and it becomes hard to compare like for like.
Is the cheapest solar quote the best?
Not always. Compare the price per kWp, the equipment and the warranties. A slightly dearer quote with named panels, a hybrid inverter and a 10-year workmanship warranty is often the better deal.
Should a solar quote include VAT?
Domestic solar panels supplied and installed on a home are zero-rated, so VAT should show as 0%. Batteries installed with the panels are also covered under current rules, but confirm with your installer.
Is a solar quote binding?
No. A quote is free and you are not obliged to go ahead until you sign a contract or pay a deposit. Read the cancellation terms before you sign.
How long are solar quotes valid for?
Usually 14 to 30 days, as equipment prices change. Ask for the validity date to be written on the quote.
Get your solar quote today
Want quotes you can actually compare? Get your solar quote today and we will put you in touch with SEAI-registered installers in your county. It’s free, there’s no obligation, and you can use this guide to check every quote you receive.
