Ireland's solar PV capacity reaches 3 GW

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ireland's solar capacity has surpassed 3 GW, a milestone announced by Solar Ireland. The association stated that growth has come from both large-scale utility projects and rooftop solar installations.

Solar Ireland CEO Ronan Power noted that Ireland's first utility-scale solar plant was only connected to the grid in 2022, and significant progress has been made in a relatively short period since then. "Four years later, we have over 200,000 homes with rooftop solar, businesses generating their own power, and solar farms capable of meeting more than a third of national electricity demand at peak times." Power also stated that government, industry, communities, and all those involved in connecting projects have contributed substantial investment and commitment to this growth.

The hundreds of megawatts needed to push Ireland past the 3 GW mark were installed in recent weeks. The government's last official installation figure, released in June, stood at 2.6 GW. According to the Central Statistics Office, grid-scale solar plants generated 1.1 gigawatt-hours of electricity for Ireland in 2025, a 51% increase compared to 2024.

Ireland's solar industry remains committed to the 8 GW installation target for 2030. Developers are preparing for the sixth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 6), scheduled for December, which will be the first to incorporate new rules under the EU's Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) non-price criteria. Solar Ireland Policy Manager Leanne Donovan told pv magazine this week that solar is expected to perform well, but it is still too early to predict results.

The organization is lobbying the government to include solar, battery storage, and grid upgrades in the upcoming 2027 national budget. Power stated that the 2027 budget needs to unlock the full value of the solar capacity that Irish developers have built over the past few years.

Following the 3 GW announcement, Ireland's Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment, Darragh O'Brien, pledged continued investment in solar. He said: "With continued investment in solar—spanning homes, farms, businesses, and large-scale grid projects—Ireland is building a growing source of homegrown clean electricity and strengthening our energy security."

Distribution system operator ESB Networks is implementing the government's investment program for grid infrastructure upgrades.