Quick answer: there is no general government grant for home solar panels in Northern Ireland, and no Smart Export Guarantee. Power NI currently pays 11.88p per kWh for exported electricity. A 4 kWp system makes about 3,500 kWh a year here.
This guide to solar panels in Northern Ireland, and the grants that do and do not exist, covers yield, costs, export payments and planning. Rates are as at October 2026, although some change every year. For the basics, see our guide to solar panel systems for homes.
Solar panels in Northern Ireland: is there a grant?
We found no general government grant for domestic solar in Northern Ireland. That is a negative finding rather than a ruling. Therefore, check nidirect for any new scheme before you commit.
However, one benefit does apply. Home solar installs are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, and that now covers Northern Ireland as well. After that date the rate rises to 5%.
Schemes in Great Britain are run separately, so check that any you read about reach Northern Ireland. Our overview of government support for solar panels explains the national picture.
Sources: HMRC VAT manual; nidirect.
Why the Smart Export Guarantee does not apply
The Smart Export Guarantee covers England, Scotland and Wales only. Since Ofgem does not regulate Northern Ireland, no supplier here has an SEG duty.
Instead, export payments come from your supplier under local arrangements. For example, Power NI pays 11.88p per kWh for 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. It paid 9.64p the year before. Because the Utility Regulator approves the rate each year, confirm the current figure with Power NI.
Export has been paid on actual metered export since 1 October 2022, while before that it was a deemed 45% of generation. Our page on why SEG differs from Great Britain covers the mainland scheme, and the best rates there are a useful comparison.
Sources: Utility Regulator decision on micro-generator export.
How much do solar panels make in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland sits close to Scotland in yield, although its climate is milder. The PVGIS model gives about 875 kWh per kWp a year for the region, below the UK reference of 990.
Across the region, the spread is modest:
- Derry: about 835 kWh per kWp.
- Enniskillen: about 850.
- Newry: about 905.
- Belfast: about 920.
A 4 kWp system therefore makes about 3,500 kWh a year. All figures assume south-facing panels at a 35° tilt. In Belfast, December output is about a quarter of June’s, which is typical of the UK. Still, our guide to solar output on grey days explains why that matters less than you might think.
Sources: PVGIS v5.2 (PVcalc, SARAH2 database, 14% losses, retrieved October 2026).
Costs and payback in Northern Ireland
The government’s installed-cost data covers Great Britain only. For Northern Ireland, treat the UK guide as a starting point: about £6,500–£8,500 for a 4 kWp system, fitted, with 0% VAT. Local quotes are the only reliable figure.
Payback depends on two prices. Export pays 11.88p, while what you avoid buying is your supplier’s import price. Because suppliers set that price, not the Ofgem cap, we do not give a single payback figure here. Check your own unit rate on your bill first.
To try your own numbers, estimate your system size with the calculator using 875 kWh per kWp. For the bigger question, see whether solar panels are worth it in the UK. Our wider guide to what solar panels cost and save gives the national model, and our page on a full breakdown of installation prices covers the detail.
Batteries and self-consumption
Without an SEG, using your own power matters more, because each unit you use yourself avoids a purchase at your supplier’s rate, while each unit you export earns the export rate. A battery moves more of your generation into the evening.
However, whether that pays depends on your tariff and the battery price, so run the numbers before you buy. Our guide to adding battery storage sets out the costs.
Planning rules for solar panels in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s permitted development rules sit under the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (NI) 2015, as amended. They resemble the old English rules, although some details differ.
On a house, panels must project no more than 200 mm from the wall or roof slope. They must also stay below the highest part of the roof. A stand-alone array is limited to one, up to 4 metres tall. Conditions apply on appearance and removal when no longer needed.
Since England’s August 2026 reforms do not apply here, check with your council planning office, especially for listed buildings. Plug-in balcony kits are a separate issue, and their legal position in Northern Ireland is unclear, so check before you buy.
Sources: NISR 2023/95.
Homes and roofs in Northern Ireland
Housing ranges from city terraces to farm bungalows. For example, terraced streets can bring shade from neighbouring buildings, so check for shade early. Rural homes may have space for a ground array, within the 4-metre limit above.
Roof pitch matters less than most owners expect. Between 20° and 45°, a south-facing roof loses no more than about 4% of output, so a typical pitched roof is a fair match.
Next steps
Compare quotes from installers who work in Northern Ireland and ask each for a Power NI export estimate. The nearest neighbours have different rules, so also read about solar panels in Scotland and solar panels in Wales. When ready, request free installer quotes with the form below.