Solar water heating grant

About the grant

Solar thermal systems transform energy from the sun into hot water for your home. They are designed to meet 50 - 60% of your annual hot water needs.

This grant will help you install a solar thermal system to heat hot water for your home. Learn about the grant values and how to apply.

Grant value for solar water heating

Each individual grant offers a fixed value.

Guide to solar water heating

This popular guide will give you all the information you need about installing a solar water heating system in your home.

• A Homeowner’s Guide To Solar Thermal For Hot Water

Learn about the solar technologies that can harness the sun’s energy to provide hot water for buildings.

Who can apply

All homeowners, including private landlords, whose homes were built and occupied before 2021 can apply. This is defined as the date your electricity meter was installed. This is different to other grant measures where the home must be built before 2011.

Important compliance check

This type of grant is based on the energy upgrade being applied to your entire home. The solar thermal system should be based on the average number of people that could live in a home of your size. It should not be based on the number of occupants.

Your registered contractor should carry out this compliance check before work starts. Failure to comply may result in the grant not being paid.

For further information read our Solar Technical Guidance and Compliance Calculator.

Planning considerations

When installing a solar thermal system the total collector area must not exceed 12m2 or 50% of the home's total roof area. Otherwise planning permission will be required. We recommend that you discuss this requirement with your registered contractor.

To find out more download A Homeowner’s Guide To Solar Thermal For Hot Water.

Before you apply

Please ensure you are familiar with your comprehensive Homeowner Application Guide to Applying For and Claiming Cash Grants with Terms and Conditions.

SEAI has three energy upgrade options

Whether you want to improve one area or completely upgrade your home, we have grant options available.