Which Irish Electricity Supplier Pays Best for Solar Export in 2026?

If you have solar panels in Ireland, the electricity supplier you choose can make a significant difference to your export income. Export rates under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) currently range from 15.89c per kWh to 32c per kWh, meaning the right supplier can add €100–€200 per year to your solar earnings.

This guide compares every Irish supplier offering solar export payments in August 2026, explains how to switch for a better rate, and clarifies what matters beyond the headline export figure.

What Is the Clean Export Guarantee?

The Clean Export Guarantee is Ireland's feed-in tariff system, introduced in February 2022. It requires all electricity suppliers to pay homeowners for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid.

Export payments are not a grant. They are an ongoing credit applied to your electricity bill based on how much electricity your solar panels send back to the grid when your home is not using it.

To qualify, you need:

• A solar PV system installed by an SEAI-registered installer
• Registration with ESB Networks as a microgenerator
• A smart meter (or eligibility for deemed export payments if not yet upgraded)
• An electricity supplier that offers a CEG tariff

For a full breakdown of how solar export works, read our guide: Solar Export Payments in Ireland – A Complete 2026 Guide.

Irish Solar Export Rates Comparison (August 2026)

Here are the current Clean Export Guarantee rates from every participating supplier:

*Figures correct as of August 2026. Rates subject to change. *SSE Airtricity Active8 Premium Export available to qualifying Active8 solar install customers only.

Winner: SSE Airtricity's Active8 Premium Export offers the highest rate (32c in year 1, 27c in year 2), but it is only available to customers who installed solar through SSE Airtricity's Active8 programme.

For most homeowners, Electric Ireland and SSE Airtricity (standard) lead at 19.5c per kWh.

How Much Can You Earn from Solar Export?

Export income depends on three factors:

1. System Size

Larger systems generate more surplus electricity. A typical Irish home with a 5 kWp system generates 4,500–5,000 kWh per year.

2. Self-Consumption Rate

Homes that use more electricity during the day export less. Without a battery, most homes export 30–50 percent of total generation.

3. Export Rate

A home exporting 1,500 kWh per year earns:

• €238 at 15.89c/kWh (Prepay Power)
• €277 at 18.5c/kWh (Energia, Flogas, Bord Gáis)
• €292 at 19.5c/kWh (Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity)
• €480 at 32c/kWh (SSE Active8, year 1 only)

The difference between the lowest and highest standard rates is €54 per year. Over 10 years, that is €540.

Do You Have to Buy and Sell from the Same Supplier?

Yes. Under current rules, you must purchase your electricity from the same supplier that pays for your exports. This means if you want a better export rate, you may need to switch both your electricity supply and your export agreement.

The good news: switching is straightforward, and most suppliers handle the export registration for you.

Beyond Export Rates: What Else Matters

While export rates grab headlines, other factors affect your overall savings:

Standing Charges

A supplier with a high export rate but a high standing charge may not save you money overall. Compare the total annual bill, not just the export rate.

Unit Rates (Day and Night)

If you have a time-of-use tariff, the unit rate you pay for electricity matters more than the export rate. Self-consuming solar during expensive peak hours saves more than exporting at any rate.

Payment Frequency

Some suppliers credit your account quarterly, others monthly or twice yearly. More frequent credits improve cash flow.

Customer Service

Solar export queries can take weeks to resolve with some suppliers. Check reviews and responsiveness before switching.

Smart Meter Requirement

Most suppliers now require a smart meter for export payments. If you decline a smart meter upgrade offered by ESB Networks, you may lose eligibility for export payments entirely (as of January 2026 CRU rules).

For more on smart meters and solar, read: What the Smart Meter Rollout Means for Irish Solar Homeowners.

Should You Switch Suppliers for a Better Rate?

It depends. If you are currently with Prepay Power (15.89c) or Yuno Energy (17.16c), switching to Electric Ireland or SSE Airtricity (19.5c) could add €40–€80 per year.

However, if you are already with a supplier offering 18.5c–19.5c, the financial benefit of switching is small. Focus instead on maximising self-consumption through:

• Running appliances during sunny hours
• Using an immersion diverter (e.g., myenergi Eddi) to heat water with surplus solar
• Adding battery storage to store excess generation for evening use

For more on this, see: Solar + Immersion Diverter: The Smart Way to Heat Water for Free.

What About Battery Storage?

Battery storage reduces the amount of electricity you export because surplus generation is stored instead of sent to the grid. This lowers export income but increases self-consumption savings.

Whether a battery makes sense depends on:

• Your evening electricity usage
• The gap between export rates and unit rates
• The upfront cost of the battery (typically €2,500–€7,000)

For homes with high evening demand (EVs, heat pumps, families), batteries often deliver better long-term savings than maximising exports.

Do You Pay Tax on Solar Export Income?

For most homeowners, no. Export income up to €400 per year is tax-free until 31 December 2028. This exemption covers the vast majority of residential solar installations.

If your export income exceeds €400 per year (rare for homes, more common for farms or commercial sites), consult a tax advisor.

How to Switch Suppliers for a Better Export Rate

Switching is simple:

Step 1: Check Your Current Contract

Make sure you are not locked into a fixed-term contract with exit fees.

Step 2: Compare Total Bills, Not Just Export Rates

Use the Commission for Regulation of Utilities price comparison tool or Switcher.ie to compare total costs.

Step 3: Contact Your New Supplier

Most suppliers handle the switch process, including notifying ESB Networks of the export arrangement change.

Step 4: Confirm Export Registration

Once switched, confirm your export payments are being credited correctly. Check your first bill carefully.

Final Thoughts

The best Irish electricity supplier for solar export in August 2026 is Electric Ireland or SSE Airtricity (standard) at 19.5c per kWh for most homeowners. SSE's Active8 Premium Export (32c) leads, but it is only available to customers who installed through that specific programme.

That said, export rates are just one piece of the solar savings puzzle. Self-consumption, smart tariffs, and battery storage often deliver greater long-term value than chasing the highest export rate.

If you are considering solar or want to optimise your existing system, WattCharger can provide tailored advice on system sizing, battery storage, and supplier selection to maximise your savings.

Ready to Maximise Your Solar Earnings?

WattCharger installs solar PV systems with full CEG registration, smart meter coordination, and ongoing support. We help you choose the right system size and supplier strategy to get the most from your solar investment.

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