Solar Export Payments in Ireland: A Complete 2026 Guide to Earning from Excess Energy Generation

In 2026, Irish homeowners with solar panels can earn money by exporting unused electricity back to the grid through the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG). If your solar system produces more power than your home uses at any given time, that excess electricity can be exported and paid for by your electricity supplier, provided you have the correct meter and supplier setup in place.

This guide explains exactly how solar export payments work in Ireland, how much you can earn, what affects your export income, and how to maximise the value of your solar system.

What Are Solar Export Payments?

Solar export payments are payments made to homeowners for surplus electricity generated by their solar PV system and exported to the national grid. In Ireland, this system operates under the Clean Export Guarantee, which requires electricity suppliers to pay microgenerators for exported renewable electricity.

Export payments are not a grant. They are an ongoing credit or payment applied to your electricity bill based on how much electricity you send back to the grid.

How the Clean Export Guarantee Works

Under the Clean Export Guarantee:

  • All electricity suppliers in Ireland must offer an export payment
  • Rates vary by supplier and tariff
  • Payments are calculated per kilowatt hour exported
  • Export is measured using a smart meter

Once your system is connected and registered, exported electricity is automatically recorded and credited.

According to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, suppliers must provide export payments to eligible microgenerators as part of Ireland’s renewable energy framework. (cru.ie)

How Much Can You Earn from Solar Export in 2026?

The amount you earn depends on three main factors:

1. Export Rate per kWh

Each supplier sets its own rate. In recent years, export rates have typically ranged from €0.15 to €0.25 per kWh, though this can change with wholesale electricity prices.

2. Amount of Excess Electricity

Homes that generate more than they consume during daylight hours export more energy. This is common in:

  • Homes where occupants are out during the day
  • Larger solar systems
  • Properties without battery storage

3. Seasonal Variation

Export income is highest in spring and summer when solar generation peaks and household demand is lower.

As a rough guide, a typical Irish home with a 4 kWp solar system could export 30 to 50 percent of total generation without a battery, depending on usage patterns.

What You Need to Receive Export Payments

To qualify for solar export payments in Ireland, you need:

Most professional installers handle the grid registration process as part of the installation. For more on system sizing and limits, see Maximum Solar Panel Capacity for Irish Homes: What’s the Limit?.

Solar Export vs Self Consumption

While export payments provide income, using your own solar electricity is still more valuable in most cases.

  • Self consumed solar offsets electricity that could cost over €0.30 per kWh
  • Export payments are usually lower than retail electricity prices

This is why many households aim to maximise self consumption rather than exporting as much as possible.

To understand how to increase self consumption, read Solar + Immersion Diverter: The Smart Way to Heat Water for Free.

Should You Add a Battery to Reduce Exports?

Battery storage allows you to store excess solar energy instead of exporting it immediately. This can:

  • Reduce reliance on the grid in the evening
  • Lower electricity bills further
  • Reduce exported energy during low rate periods

However, batteries also reduce export income. Whether a battery makes sense depends on:

  • Export rates available
  • Evening electricity prices
  • Household usage patterns

For homes with EVs, combining solar, battery storage, and smart charging can offer the best overall value. See How to Integrate Your EV Charger with a Home Battery.

How Export Payments Appear on Your Bill

Export payments are typically shown as:

  • A credit line on your electricity bill
  • A reduction in total charges
  • In some cases, a separate payment

Billing structures vary by supplier, so it is worth reviewing how credits are applied when choosing a tariff.

Do You Pay Tax on Solar Export Income?

For most homeowners, export income is treated as a bill credit rather than taxable income, especially when systems are installed for domestic use. Large scale or commercial installations may have different tax considerations.

If you are unsure, it is always wise to check with a tax advisor, particularly for rental or business properties.

Export Payments for Homes with Heat Pumps and EVs

Homes with heat pumps or EV chargers often export less electricity because more energy is used on site. This is not a disadvantage.

Using solar to power heating or transport generally delivers greater savings than exporting, even if export rates are attractive.

Learn more in Can You Use Solar to Power Your EV at Home?.

Future Outlook for Solar Export in Ireland

As Ireland increases renewable generation and smart grid infrastructure, export payments are expected to remain an important part of home solar economics. However:

  • Rates may fluctuate with market conditions
  • Smart tariffs and demand response may become more important
  • Self consumption will continue to offer the strongest value

Designing your system with flexibility in mind is key.

Final Thoughts

Solar export payments in Ireland allow homeowners to earn money from excess energy generation, but they work best as part of a balanced solar strategy, not as the primary return on investment.

By combining smart system sizing, efficient self consumption, and access to the Clean Export Guarantee, Irish households can reduce bills, lower carbon emissions, and earn additional value from their solar investment.

If you want help designing a solar system that balances self consumption, export income, and future energy needs, WattCharger can provide tailored advice and professional installation to help you get the most from your setup.

 

Blog Author: Rowan Egan