Mayo solar installations record second largest increase on average in Ireland

Mayo solar installations have recorded the second largest increase on average in Ireland, according to EnergyEfficiency.ie. Around one in every 23 households in Mayo received a Solar PV Scheme grant over the last five and a half years, based on data from the SEAI and the Census.

There was a sharp increase in solar PV adoption every year over the period analysed, with 2,260 home solar installations in total in Mayo. Of those, over 812 were carried out in 2024 alone, compared to just 56 in 2020.

Nationally, there were over 81,000 Solar PV Scheme grants awarded, with over €914 million spent by households for home solar panels.

“The findings are consistent with previous research showing Mayo has a relatively low solar adoption rate,” said Briain Kelly of EnergyEfficiency.ie.

“One of the reasons for this has been that many homeowners in more rural areas, especially in the west and north west, have found it more difficult to find an installer.

“However, households in Mayo are installing among the most panels per installation, and adoption is increasing year-on-year.

“This is being driven by decreasing installation costs, rising energy prices, and greater awareness of the benefits of solar.

"Homeowners can save around €1,000 each year, and with multiple energy companies increasing their rates this month, we expect even more households to make the switch to solar.”