The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy has confirmed that the maximum grant for rooftop solar panels for homes will remain at €1,800 next year.
Darragh O'Brien said the grant will not be cut by €300 to €1,500 as previously planned.
Speaking to RTÉ News at the COP30 climate conference in Belem in Brazil, Mr O'Brien said there is a "solar revolution" under way in Ireland and he wants that to continue.
The minister said there is now nearly one gigawatt of power coming from roof tops in Ireland, when farm buildings are included, and that is almost matching the amount that is coming from solar farms.
However, Mr O'Brien said that area is also growing very strongly.
He said there were 28,000 applications for grants for rooftop solar panels last year and it is expected that reach 33,000 in 2025 when farms are included.
There are now 155,000 roof tops in Ireland with solar panels installed.
The current grant for rooftop solar panels is up to €1,800 and the plan had been to reduce that by €300 every year until it is phased out.
This would have set the maximum grant that people can claim in 2026 at €1,500 but it will remain at €1,800 for 2026.
The group representing the solar energy industry in Ireland welcomed the decision by Minister O'Brien to reverse the plan to reduce the maximum grant for domestic rooftop solar panels by €300.
Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power said: "Keeping the rooftop solar grant at €1,800 for 2026 is a smart and fair decision.
"It ensures solar remains within reach for households, particularly those most exposed to high energy costs, while keeping installations under SEAI's strong regulatory and quality framework.
"This move supports families today and sustains the momentum behind one of Ireland’s fastest-growing clean-energy sectors."
The organisation which represents Ireland's micro-generation sector has welcomed the decision not to cut the level of SEAI grant support.
Micro Renewable Energy Federation Chairperson Ciarán Kells described it as a critical announcement from Minister O’Brien.
"This is a positive decision for homeowners up and down the country that are actively planning to invest in solar PV in the coming months."
Mr Kells said that it is also a very important decision for the thousands of skilled installers who are employed across the country in Ireland’s vibrant micro-generation industry.
He said that the minister needs to build on this positive move by removing the restriction on anyone who has a home or business premises built after 2020 who is prevented from getting this grant support.
This 2020 cut-off, he said, discriminates against households and businesses, and is especially hard on financially pressed new homeowners with relatively new mortgages who need whatever help they can get to reduce their living costs, including energy costs.
