Wedoany.com Report-Jun 26, Ireland’s solar industry has experienced substantial growth, with installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity rising by 156.8% since 2023, according to the “Scale of Solar 2025” report by Solar Ireland. Based on data from ESB Networks up to May 31, 2025, the country’s total solar capacity reached 1.76 GW. Despite this progress, Ireland remains below its 2030 goal of 8 GW.

Small-scale solar is going from strength to strength, according to Solar Ireland.

Utility-scale solar farms are a key driver of this expansion, supplying power directly to the grid. The first large-scale solar farm began operating in County Meath in 2022. By mid-2025, 885 MW is installed across 19 sites, a significant increase from 349 MW in 2023. Additionally, 752 MW across 30 projects is under development.

The commercial and industrial (C&I) sector is also contributing significantly. Installations ranging from 200 kVA to 1 MW help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while avoiding complex grid connection issues. As of mid-2025, 2.29 MW is connected across seven C&I sites, up from 0.3 MW in 2023.

Small-scale solar systems (50 kVA to 200 kVA), supported by initiatives like the Solar for Schools program, are expanding in businesses, farms, schools, and public buildings. By mid-2025, Ireland has 40 MW of capacity across 328 connections in this category.

Mini-generation systems (17-50 kVA) for self-consumption are supporting rural economies, particularly in dairy, tillage, and food production sectors, as well as community facilities. These systems have grown to 55 MW across 2,050 connections by mid-2025, more than doubling the previous year’s figures, driven by enhanced grants and simplified grid access.

Ronan Power, CEO of Solar Ireland, stated: “2025 marks a pivotal moment – not just for solar, but for how we define its place in Ireland’s energy future … In just a few years, we’ve seen solar move from the sidelines to the center of national energy policy.”

Auto-production solar systems, used by data centers, water treatment plants, and agricultural businesses, have reached 135 MW across 840 connections by mid-2025, up from 95 MW in 2023. A notable example includes a tennis club that saved €6,000 annually on electricity and reduced grid energy use by 20% in 2024 through a grant-supported installation of 19 solar panels and a Huawei hybrid inverter, in collaboration with Ohk Energy.

In the micro-generation segment, over 138,000 homes are generating their own electricity, totaling 576 MW by mid-2025. While more than a million rooftops in Ireland are suitable for solar, only 13.8% have been equipped so far, indicating significant potential for further growth.