Ireland has officially reached 1 gigawatt (GW) of rooftop solar, a landmark moment in our clean-energy journey – and one that belongs to communities right across the country. From family homes and farms to sports clubs, SMEs and community buildings, more than 170,000 rooftop solar systems are now generating clean, home-grown electricity nationwide. This achievement shows just how quickly solar has become one of Ireland’s most effective, accessible and popular climate solutions. At Activ8, we see this momentum every day. More people than ever are choosing to take control of their energy costs while future-proofing their homes and businesses.
This 1 GW milestone isn’t just a number – it represents thousands of individual decisions to invest in renewable energy. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD described it as: “A milestone that belongs to communities across Ireland. Households, farms, sports clubs, small businesses and community groups are now generating their own clean power, reducing their bills and cutting emissions.”
Gary Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer at Activ8, said: “Reaching 1 GW of rooftop solar is a powerful signal of how quickly Ireland is embracing clean, self-generated energy. Rooftop solar is no longer a niche solution, it’s becoming a mainstream part of how Ireland powers its future. At Activ8, we’re proud to help customers make that transition with high-quality systems that deliver long-term value.”
Solar PV at Glenpatrick Spring Water by Activ8 Solar Energies & SSE Airtricity
With continued government backing through SEAI solar PV grants, rooftop solar has become a realistic and rewarding option for households and organisations of all sizes. Ireland’s rooftop solar success has been driven by a combination of strong policy support, falling technology costs and growing awareness of the benefits. According to ESB Networks, approximately 50,000 solar installations are completed every year across homes, farms, businesses and community buildings. That rapid growth is playing a vital role in cutting emissions, reducing demand on the grid and strengthening Ireland’s energy security.
SEAI CEO William Walsh highlighted that this achievement reflects the “incredible momentum in retrofit across all sectors”, with solar now a key part of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy bills. One of the most important drivers of uptake has been the SEAI solar PV grant, which supports residential and small-scale installations. Crucially, the government has confirmed that the €1,800 residential solar grant will remain in place through 2026, giving homeowners confidence to invest now rather than wait.
Kevin's Solar Success with Activ8: From €300 electricity bills to energy credit!
For many Activ8 customers, this support significantly shortens payback periods – often to just a few years – while delivering decades of clean, low-cost electricity. Ireland now has more than 2.1 GW of total solar capacity, with rooftop systems accounting for nearly half. Looking ahead, rooftop solar is expected to continue growing strongly through 2026 and beyond, contributing to Ireland’s ambition of 8 GW of solar by 2030. As Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power noted, this milestone proves what’s possible “when policy certainty, public support and industry capability align.”
Reaching 1 GW shows that rooftop solar works – financially, environmentally and practically. Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, now is one of the best times ever to invest in solar. At Activ8, we’ve helped thousands of customers make the switch with high-quality systems, expert installation and full support through the SEAI grant process.
👉 Thinking about solar? Get in touch with Activ8 today and see how much you could save while powering your future with clean energy.
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