Why Cutting Solar Grants Hurts the People Who Need Them Most

Rooftop solar is one of Ireland's most visible success stories. Over 140,000 homes are now generating clean, renewable electricity from their rooftops. Households are reducing their energy bills, contributing to climate targets, and building energy independence. But a quietly unfolding change to the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) could put all of that progress at risk.

Under current government plans, the MSS grant is set to decline by €300 each year. In 2023, the maximum grant was €2,400. By 2025, it dropped to €1,800. And by 2028, it will be just €900. At the same time, the average cost of a solar system remains around €10,900 according to SEAI data.

This steady erosion of financial support disproportionately affects the very people who would benefit most from lower energy bills: lower-income households, families in energy poverty, and rural or older homes with higher heating needs.

1 in 3 households could be left behind

Fuel poverty is a growing challenge in Ireland. The Climate Change Advisory Council reports that 29% of households are now at risk. These are families who already struggle to afford rising energy bills. Rooftop solar could be a lifeline — reducing their reliance on the grid, shielding them from price shocks, and helping them take control of their energy use.

But without sufficient grant support, these homes are simply locked out of the opportunity.

A threat to quality and safety

The MSS isn’t just about affordability. It also ensures that rooftop solar installations are carried out by qualified, insured, and registered professionals under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Installers must meet SEAI standards, pass regular inspections, and adhere to the national Code of Practice. With thousands of installs each year now relying on the grant to access this regulated framework, a reduction in grant uptake could mean more unregulated or lower-quality systems entering the market.

In other words, cutting the grant doesn’t just reduce uptake. It removes a vital quality control mechanism from the residential solar market.

What Solar Ireland is asking for

In our Budget 2026 requests submission, Solar Ireland is calling on Government to:

Freeze the annual reduction in the MSS grant and maintain it at current levels (€1,800)

This small intervention would have a big impact. It would protect access for households most affected by rising energy costs. It would preserve the role of SEAI oversight. And it would ensure that Ireland’s solar success story remains equitable, safe, and accessible to all.

We believe solar should work for everyone — not just those who can afford the upfront costs.

Want to help?

• Contact your local TD and let them know: Solar grants must be protected.
• Reshare our post from LinkedIn and/or Instagram 
• Learn more about our Budget 2026 submission here.
• Read more on the climate impact here. 

Together, we can keep the sun shining on households across Ireland.