Meath has highest uptake of solar of the 26 counties
Meath is leading the way when it comes to solar energy, recording the highest uptake of solar in the country in 2024. Figures reveal that 23.8 homes in every 1,000 in Meath installed panels under the SEAI's solar grant in 2024.
An analysis of SEAI and CSO data undertaken by online platform SolarquotesIreland.ie has found that Meath had the highest uptake of solar of the 26 counties analysed. Solar Quotes Ireland is not a supplier but an online platform where householders can connect with SEAI registered installers in their area and also access information on available grants.
The analysis is based on SEAI's Retrofit Full Year Reports for 2023 and 2024, which details grant-aided solar PV completions by county, and the CSO's Census 2022 count of private households in each county.
It shows that figures for Meath (23.8 per 1,000) are almost double Dublin's rate of 12.2 per 1,000. Next after Meath is Wicklow (20.7), Louth (19.4) and Kildare (17.7).
Over a two year period, installation of solar tripled in Meath going from 569 homes in 2022 to 1,740 homes in 2024.
While Dublin had more installs in total in 2024 with 6,324 against Meath's 1,740, it has about seven times as many homes, so on a per household basis, Meath is first.
Research by Solar Quotes Ireland Ltd also found that the payback for homes in Meath is an average of six years.
Neil Russell of Solar Quotes explained that the payback figures are based on their own calculations from SEAI's 2025 scheme figures and the EU's PVGIS solar map.
He explained that on their calculation, the same system pays back in about six years in Meath, producing power worth about €1,150 a year. That assumes an average cost of €7,171 after the grant, which is SEAI's 237 million euro of private spending on the scheme in 2025 divided by the 33,048 homes it supported.
Other findings in the report show that Meath is 8th of 26 on sunshine with each kWh of panels makes about 949 kWh a year. Wexford is 1st at 1,020 and Donegal last at 842.
“Meath isn't top because it's the sunniest county. It's 8th for sunshine, and Wexford gets more sun but installs less. For anyone in Meath thinking about it, on our calculation from SEAI's figures an average system pays for itself in about six years. Every roof is different, so get a quote for your own home. The SEAI grant of up to €1,800 is still available,” said Neil.