Contrary to popular belief, Ireland is well suited to solar power generation. Advances in technology and falling costs have made both domestic and large-scale solar installations economically viable here.
The solar transformation in Ireland has been remarkable, says Yvonne McCarthy, head of sustainability research, AIB. “It has really moved from being an energy concept to an integral part of our national energy infrastructure, both through utility scale solar farms and through microgeneration from rooftop panels on homes and small businesses. There was a time when solar panels on a roof were unusual. Now they are commonplace, with more households and businesses installing them every week.”
It may be surprising that Ireland is considered a good location for solar facilities, given our often-cloudy skies. But Ronan Power, chief executive, Solar Ireland, says solar panels rely on daylight rather than heat.
“Panels work best in cool conditions and perform strongly under diffuse light, which makes Ireland’s climate surprisingly well suited,” he says. “That’s why solar has already been embraced by Irish households. More than 140,000 homes now generate their own power from the sun, and by mid-2025, Ireland had 576MW of microgeneration installed on rooftops across the country.”
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Sarah McCormack, professor in sustainable energy at Trinity College Dublin also notes that Ireland’s diffuse solar climate has meant it was not always seen as a viable location for solar power. “However, dramatic reductions in costs globally have ensured that Ireland is not left behind. Over the past four decades, global solar panel prices have fallen by roughly 20 per cent each time cumulative installed capacity doubled. So, while Ireland was late to react to this global phenomenon, it is now reaping the benefits – a late-mover advantage.”
The benefits of solar are clear, says Power. “Lower bills, protection against volatile energy prices, and greater energy independence. Most homes no longer need planning permission for rooftop systems, and the ability to sell surplus power back to the grid strengthens the economics. Even without Mediterranean sunshine, Irish rooftops can power communities, schools and businesses while helping Ireland reach its climate targets.”
Solar is now one of the most competitive renewable technologies in Ireland, adds Justin Brown, chief executive, Power Capital. “It complements wind perfectly. Solar peaks during daylight hours when demand is often high, helping to balance the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This complementarity will only strengthen as battery storage scales.”
Brown says that the real challenges to solar panel adoption are planning timelines and grid access. “These delays create uncertainty for developers, communities, and investors.”
McCormack agrees, saying “connection queues and capacity constraints remain the main bottleneck for larger PV and storage. The grid will need to carry much more power, need to cope with variable sources in remote locations, need to combine complex forms of generation, need to manage a decade of grid upgrades and build and improve partnerships with stakeholders.”
Advances in panel efficiency and smart inverters have transformed the economics of solar, says Brown. “These innovations make solar energy viable in Ireland’s climate and allow us to maximise generation throughout the year.”
While new materials are emerging in photovoltaic (PV) research, about 98 per cent of the global industry still relies on silicon-based solar cells, says McCormack. “These cells now achieve real-world efficiencies of 21-23 per cent, have better low-light performance and lower degradation, and work very well in Ireland’s diffuse, changeable light.”
The rapid growth of solar in Ireland has been driven by several factors, says McCarthy. Modern PV panels operate efficiently even on cloudy or rainy days; the Government’s Climate Action Plan targets 8GW of solar by 2030; rooftop solar no longer requires planning permission; households can sell excess energy to the grid; and the cost of PV systems has dropped sharply, shortening payback periods.
“All of this means solar makes sense for more households and businesses,” she says. “While many decisions are driven by economics, the environmental benefits are equally significant as capacity increases.”
Solar could be transformational, says Brown. “Ireland has the potential to become a European leader in solar and storage. A decade from now, with streamlined planning, proactive grid investment and strong public-private collaboration, solar could supply a significant share of Ireland’s electricity demand while driving regional economic growth and community benefits.
“Solar will be crucial for meeting Ireland’s 2030 renewable-energy targets. It’s fast to deploy, cost-effective and complements other renewables, making it a key pillar in the energy mix. With our current industry pipeline exceeding 5GW, and with the right support, solar can play a central role in decarbonising Ireland’s electricity system.”
