The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Grants in Ireland

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is responsible for issuing grants. However, the eligibility criteria can be complex, so Wattcharger has made it easier for you by documenting all available grants for homes, cars, and businesses, as well as the amount you could receive if you qualify. If you have any questions or are interested in any of the information provided, please don't hesitate to contact WattCharger. Our knowledgeable team will guide you toward the best renewable solutions for your needs.

Irish EV Grants 

The Irish government has a goal of getting 180,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2025 and nearly a million by 2030. To achieve this, they have introduced various grants and benefits to encourage Irish drivers to switch to EVs. One of the top grants for Irish drivers is the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) grant, which allows drivers who purchase privately owned EVs with a cost between €14,000 and €60,000 to be eligible for a grant. These grants are only available with the purchase of an approved EV and are only for M1 (passenger car) qualified vehicles. The available BEV Irish grants are listed below:

In addition to the M1 BEV grants, the Irish state also offers support for those who purchase new N1 (light commercial vehicles) for public or business use. The following grants apply to N1 EVs and are only available for new purchases, not pre-owned vehicles:

Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grants

The Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant is a program that allows EV owners to receive a grant to help set up an EV charger at their property. With limited public chargers available, this is a good option for EV owners who want to have a charger in their own homes. To qualify for the €600 home grant, which is available for both owned and rented properties, you must:

• Have an EV that is not parked on the street and an EV charger that is connected to the home
• Use a Meter Point Reference Number on the charger
• Not have received any previous grants related to EVs for the property in question
• Receive a Letter of Offer to allow the project before any installation begins
• Not start the project more than 6 months after receiving the Letter of Offer

If you think you qualify for this grant and are interested, please contact Wattcharger for a free quote or review the black Zappi home EV charger here. 

Electric Vehicle Public Charging Point Grant

Like the Home Charger Grant, a similar grant is available to Local Authorities to promote the installation of EV chargers in communities throughout Ireland. Under the grant, Local Authorities such as county councils can receive up to €5,000 per single charging point, covering up to 75% of total capital costs. The government has set a goal of 1,000 charging points across Ireland over the next five years. The overall plan is to integrate charging points in communities and make them accessible to those without driveways. 

If you'd like to learn more about commercial charging, flick over to WattCharger's commercial charging overview here.

Electric Vehicle Apartment Charger Grant

The Electric Vehicle Apartment Charger Grant allows apartment complexes to install EV charging stations on their premises. If an apartment complex does not have the infrastructure, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will provide 80% of the costs for installation. Additionally, the organization responsible for managing the complex can claim up to €600 per charging point installed. These organizations can also make arrangements through the SEAI to connect to local charging networks. Owner's management companies can receive a higher percentage of funding, while management of build-to-rent accommodations will receive the lowest level of state funding. Although this grant is primarily for approved apartment management companies, Local Authorities and the State Housing Body can also apply if needed. In fact, government entities can claim up to 90% of the funding for these apartment complex projects, as shown below: 

Irish Solar Panel Grants

In addition to grants for EVs, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has also introduced measures to promote the use of solar panels for commercial and private use. Solar panels are popular these days, but they can be costly and it can be hard for consumers to know which grants are best for them. If you have any questions about the solar grants listed below, don't hesitate to contact WattCharger.

Before introducing the solar grants available, it's helpful to outline who qualifies for the program. To qualify for any personal solar grant, you must:

• Occupy a home that was built prior to 2021
• Have electrical work done by a Safe Electric Ireland electrician and use a registered company
• Use new materials and products that were not covered under another SEAI scheme
• Have the registered installer connect to the ESB grid

The amount you receive through the grant is based on the peak output of your solar panel system, measured in kilowatts-peak. This means the amount of energy your solar panel system can generate. The grants based on the size of solar panel systems are listed:

Solar panel grants have also been announced for Irish farmers. Under a project called the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, farmers can apply for grants covering up to 60% of solar installation costs on any building on their land, with a cap of €90,000. You can learn more about Solar Panels with WattCharger here.

As mentioned earlier, SEAI grants can be confusing. If you think you might be eligible for a grant but don't know where to start, please don't hesitate to contact WattCharger. We would also recommend using BERWOW's innovative online tools to explore, plan and implement energy upgrades on your home.