Ireland Expands Free Solar Panel Scheme For Medically Vulnerable

Expanded eligibility to ensure clean energy access under Solar PV Scheme for Medically Vulnerable Customers
Solar homes
Ireland broadens solar support to safeguard medically vulnerable households and boost clean energy resilience. (Illustrative Photo; Photo Credit: vicentegarridoj/Shutterstock.com)
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Key Takeaways
  • Ireland has expanded its Solar PV Scheme to include all homes using electronically powered medical devices

  • The program, launched in 2022, now covers all homeowners listed under the life support category of Priority Services Register, irrespective of the energy supplier

  • Eligible households can receive funding for 2 kW solar PV systems, with 470 homes benefiting so far from the scheme

Ireland has expanded the eligibility criteria of its Solar PV Scheme for Medically Vulnerable Customers to now include all homes dependent on electronically powered medical equipment. These include life-protecting devices and assistive technologies that support independent living and medical equipment, including dialysis machines and respirators.

The scheme was initially launched in 2022 as a pilot to protect vulnerable homes from energy sector challenges arising due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The scheme was initially launched in 2022 to provide solar panels to all such homes in the category registered with the country’s ESB Networks. It is now open to all homeowners under the life support category of the Priority Services Register of all energy suppliers in the country, irrespective of when they were registered.

Under the scheme, beneficiary homes are eligible for funding to install 2 kW solar PV systems comprising 5x400W solar panels, a string inverter, and associated electrical components, provided they were built and occupied on or before December 31, 2020. The solar PV company will provide an installation date to the eligible homes. To date, some 470 homes have benefited from the scheme.   

“Delivering resilience in our energy systems is a top priority for me, and for the government. First and foremost we have to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are protected,” stated Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien while announcing the expansion criteria.

In its Budget 2026, Ireland has announced almost €1.1 billion for the Ministry for Climate, Energy and the Environment to accelerate the country’s energy transition and net-zero achievement. Of this, €558 million has been allocated for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for residential and community energy upgrades, including the Solar PV Scheme.   

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