Ireland’s solar energy capacity has surged by 49 per cent over the past year and has grown by a remarkable 160 per cent since 2023, according to new data released today.
Solar Ireland reports that the country’s solar infrastructure is now helping power over 370,000 homes while preventing more than 395,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
May marked a milestone for Irish solar, becoming the most productive month on record.
Solar energy supplied 6.5 per cent of the nation’s total electricity demand during the month, doubling from 3.2 per cent in May 2023.
The country also hit a new solar peak on 18 May, when solar power met 21.1 per cent of national electricity needs at 1:45 p.m.
Large-scale solar farms are playing a major role in this progress, with 19 utility-scale sites now fully operational.
These installations collectively provide just over half of Ireland’s total installed solar capacity, showcasing the accelerating shift toward renewable energy at a national level.
At the same time, microgeneration—primarily from rooftop solar panels on homes and small businesses—is making an increasingly significant contribution. Over 138,000 homes across the country are now equipped with rooftop solar, representing 576 megawatts of installed capacity and a 55 per cent increase compared to last year.