Solar water heating grant

About this grant

The Solar Water Heating grant is an individual energy upgrade offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to help homeowners and eligible property owners install solar thermal systems. Solar thermal systems convert energy from the sun into hot water for the home and are designed to meet 50-60% of annual hot water needs. The grant supports the cost of installing such a system through an SEAI registered contractor. Applicants apply either directly, managing the upgrade with a registered contractor and receiving payment after works are completed, or through a One Stop Shop that applies on their behalf and deducts the grant upfront from the cost of the works. A fixed grant value of EUR 1,200 applies regardless of property type. The process requires obtaining a grant offer before starting works, which must be accepted within 30 days. The solar thermal system must be sized based on the average occupancy of a home of the same size rather than actual occupants, and total collector area must not exceed 12 square metres or 50% of the roof area unless planning permission is obtained. Works must be completed within eight months of the grant offer. After installation, a post-works BER assessment by a registered SEAI BER assessor is mandatory, with a separate EUR 50 BER grant available. Applicants then submit a Declaration of Works, a Request for Payment, and where applicable a Tax Clearance Certificate. Payment typically takes four to six weeks, and SEAI may carry out inspections.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include owner occupiers, companies including owner management companies, registered charities, holiday home owners, Approved Housing Bodies, and non-private and commercial landlords of tenanted properties. The applicant must own the property. The home must have an 11-digit MPRN and must have been built and occupied before 2025. The works must be carried out by an SEAI registered contractor, and the applicant must obtain grant approval before starting works.

Key requirements

• ✓Obtain an SEAI grant offer before starting works and accept it within 30 days; complete works within eight months of the offer
• ✓Install through an SEAI-registered contractor, sized on average occupancy for a home of that size, with collector area not exceeding 12 m² or 50% of roof area unless planning permission is obtained
• ✓Complete a post-works BER assessment by a registered SEAI assessor, then submit a Declaration of Works, Request for Payment and, where applicable, a Tax Clearance Certificate

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offer?

Solar water heating grant offers $1,320.

Who can apply for Solar water heating grant?

Eligibility covers organisations in IE; individual. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.