Investors in solar energy are gaining instant benefits

Businesses are homeowners investing in solar energy are  delighted with their decision, says Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland

Each week, almost 1,000 new solar rooftop systems are currently being connected across Ireland. Industries and homeowners who have installed solar energy systems say they are seeing instant savings in their energy costs and rapid returns on their investment. 

Irish industries and homeowners are increasingly seeing rapid returns on their investments in and commitments to solar power.

Solar Ireland, a representative group for the promotion of solar power, says that solar is now Ireland’s fastest-growing renewable energy source. Each week, almost 1,000 new solar rooftop systems are currently being connected across Ireland.

As well as being a cleaner, greener power source, those in the sector say that installing solar systems instantly begins to repay the investment. They also have broader societal motivations for what they believe their sector can achieve.

Solar Ireland’s mission is to advance a sustainable, equitable and secure energy future by maximising solar generation and ensuring its benefits reach every community. Its members include ESB, Elgin, Energia, Ørsted and Statkraft, along with a wealth of other renewable energy companies, plus legal and business advisory firms.

In recent weeks, Ireland celebrated a landmark moment in its clean-energy transition, with national solar capacity surpassing 2 GW for the first time.

Gradually growing since Ireland’s first solar farm was energised in April 2022, the nation’s capacity has now expanded to 2.1 gigawatts, supported by over 155,000 rooftop installations across homes, farms and businesses.

At its summer peak, solar supplied more than 21% of national electricity demand – equivalent to powering one in five light bulbs in Ireland.

This milestone reflects the remarkable pace of growth in Ireland’s renewable-energy sector.

Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, said: “Solar energy is now part of daily life, powering homes, farms, and businesses across the country and helping to cut bills and emissions alike. Passing 2 GW shows what’s possible when Government, system operators, and industry work together towards a shared goal. Ireland’s clean-energy future isn’t decades away – it’s happening now.” 

Surpassing 2 GW quantifies the role solar energy is playing in Ireland’s journey towards a low-carbon future, supporting the national target of sourcing 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

The contribution of households installing rooftop solar and major renewable developers delivering large-scale projects has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.

John O’Connor, head of programme delivery at ESB Networks, added: “The Government’s commitment to renewable energy has been critical, providing policy certainty and financial support through initiatives such as the RESS and in the network via the PR5 and PR6 investment programmes. ESB Networks is committed to supporting Ireland’s transition to a clean electric future.” 

Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland, described crossing the 2 GW mark as evidence of a sector delivering real change at real scale.

“Ireland’s energy transition is no longer a future ambition, it’s happening now, powered by thousands of people and projects across the country,” said Mr Power. “In just three years, we’ve more than doubled our solar capacity and built a foundation that supports jobs, communities, and energy security – and the momentum is only growing.” 

Solar Ireland, together with Government, ESB Networks, EirGrid and its members, has set a target of surpassing 8 GW for the solar industry by 2030.

In this Q&A interview, Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland, outlines the scale of ambition that those investing in solar energy have for the sector in Ireland, as well as some of the actions that can help the nation deliver on the opportunity that solar energy represents for the nation’s goals to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve greater energy independence.

What is the scale of opportunity for solar power to help Ireland's progress towards greater energy autonomy?

Ireland’s solar opportunity is immense and accelerating. In just two years, installed capacity has grown by 160%, reaching 1.91 GW by September 2025, enough to power more than 370,000 homes and cut almost 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Solar now meets up to 6.5% of national electricity demand at times, with peaks supplying over 21% of total grid demand, all from clean, home-grown generation. This represents tangible progress towards energy autonomy, reducing Ireland’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and exposure to volatile global markets.

If Ireland achieves its 8 GW target by 2030, which all data indicates it is achievable, solar could contribute over €2.7 billion to the economy and support more than 7,000 jobs (according to Sunrise: Economic Impacts of the Solar Energy Industry in Ireland, developed by KPMG for Solar Ireland). In short, solar is not just helping to decarbonise our energy system; it is strengthening national resilience and economic independence.

What actions are needed to help unlock Ireland’s solar potential, and to create the conditions for long-term, equitable decarbonisation?

The building blocks are in place, but we must now accelerate grid, planning, and policy delivery. Three actions stand out:

• Modernise grid and connection systems. Recent reforms, like ECP-GSS, are positive steps, but Ireland still needs faster and more flexible connections, especially for rooftop, hybrid, and storage projects.
• Ensure policy continuity. The sector needs a clear successor to the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and protection for SEAI grants that make rooftop solar accessible for homes, schools, and SMEs.
• Prioritise equity and inclusion. Solar must reach every community, from large utility farms to the 150,000 homes now generating their own power. Initiatives such as EnergyCloud show how excess renewable energy, which otherwise would be wasted, can cut bills and address energy poverty, not just emissions.

Long-term decarbonisation will only succeed if it’s both streamlined and fair.

Given that Ireland's solar energy increased by 49% in the last year and by 160% since 2023, are you confident about how businesses and homeowners are engaging with solar?

Yes, the engagement we are seeing is extraordinary. Every week, around 950 new rooftop systems are being connected, and solar is now Ireland’s fastest-growing renewable energy source. Businesses from manufacturing to retail are installing systems to cut costs and improve sustainability, while homeowners are embracing microgeneration in record numbers. However, we want to ensure that this momentum continues. The SEAI grants have been vital in making rooftop solar affordable and accessible for families, schools and small businesses. Maintaining these supports at their current levels will help keep Ireland’s clean energy transition on track and ensure that solar remains within reach for every household, not just those with higher disposable incomes.

Importantly, solar is no longer a niche technology. It has become a trusted solution that delivers both environmental and economic value. With over 150,000 homes and thousands of businesses, farms and public buildings now generating power, it is clear that Irish consumers and enterprises are not waiting. They are leading the solar revolution.

Are there other countries that Ireland could look to for ideas on performing even better in terms of generating power from solar sources?

There is a lot Ireland can learn from international leaders in solar energy. Australia is perhaps the best example when it comes to rooftop solar. Its biggest solar project is not a single farm, but a network of more than three million rooftops quietly producing over 26 GW of power. That is more than every coal station in the country combined. This model shows the power of distributed energy. When every home, business and community building can generate its own electricity, the result is a cleaner, cheaper and more resilient energy system. It also puts value directly back into people’s hands.

Closer to home, countries such as the Netherlands and Germany have shown how supportive planning, grid readiness and incentives for rooftop and hybrid systems can accelerate deployment while maintaining public trust.

Ireland’s opportunity is to take these lessons and build our own version of success. What will make the difference is collaboration between government, industry and communities working together with a shared purpose. Ten years ago, Ireland’s solar sector was in its infancy; three years ago, it was only beginning to take shape. Today, it stands as one of the fastest-growing pillars of our clean energy transition, built on shared ambition and the power of collective progress. 

solarireland.ie