ISEA Update – February 2025
Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA)
Trade Association for the Irish solar industry. Our vision remains to fully decarbonise Ireland's electricity system.
A strong start to the year for solar, with records in sight
Market volatility may be dominating global headlines, but interest in Ireland’s solar sector remains strong. A recent investors roundtable in London saw Ireland in the spotlight, with new entrants eager to enter the market. The challenge now? Maintaining momentum and delivering on Ireland’s solar pipeline—both utility-scale and behind the meter.
In 2023, renewables accounted for 40.7% of Ireland’s electricity supply, up from 38.6% the previous year, with solar increasing from 1.9% to 2.2% of utility-scale generation. Growth is also happening behind the meter—more than 120,000 rooftops now have microgeneration, with 35.6% of those installations happening in 2024 alone.
But challenges remain. 2.1 TWh of renewable energy was dispatched down in 2024—14% of total renewable generation—due to transmission constraints. New planning legislation must also be tested in practice to ensure that it truly enables the acceleration of renewables.
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a pivotal year for Ireland’s solar transition.
Conall Bolger , CEO, ISEA
?? A Strong Month for Solar, Setting the Stage for New Records
February 2025 saw 37.9 GWh of solar energy generated, a figure likely to be revised to 40 GWh once EirGrid publishes full utility-scale solar data. This accounted for 1.1% of total electricity demand, but with Ireland’s rapid expansion of solar farm capacity, solar could soon overtake hydropower as a year-round contributor to the grid.
Midday peaks continued to impress, with solar generation nearing 700 MW by the end of the month, covering 12% of Ireland’s midday electricity demand. This exceeded hydro and biomass combined and, on calm days, even surpassed wind generation.
With the current all-time record at 719 MW, all signs point to a new peak solar generation record before the summer.
?? Top Solar-Producing Counties – February 2025:
1?? Meath – 16 GWh
2?? Wexford – 8 GWh
3?? Cork – 5 GWh
Note: These figures are provided by the Green Collective and exclude rooftop solar and approximately 15% of utility-scale projects—meaning the actual contribution is even higher.
? Spotlight: Irish Energy & Battery Alliance (EBA)
The IEBA (Irish Electrical Benevolent Association) has been supporting members of the electrical industry and their families since its founding in 2001. The association provides vital assistance to those facing bereavement, depression, terminal illness, accidental death, special treatments, or the need for retraining.
?? Why it matters: The IEBA ensures that those in the electrical community who are facing personal or financial hardship are not alone, offering both practical and financial support when it is most needed.
?? How you can help: Every member of the industry is encouraged to be an Ambassador for the association—your awareness can help identify those in need, ensuring that the IEBA can continue to provide support across the country.
Through awareness and active involvement, the IEBA can assess and assist those in real need—but it starts with the industry itself. If you know someone who could benefit from support, reach out: IEBA - Irish Electrical Benevolent Association
?? Upcoming Events
?? Women in Solar: Driving Diversity & Leadership in the Industry
Join Women in Solar Energy (Ireland) - WISE(IR) and ISEA for an International Women’s Day webinar focused on gender diversity, leadership, and career progression in the solar sector.
?? 12 March
?? Zoom
?? Register for free here: Women in Solar: Driving Diversity & Leadership in the Industry
?? Large Scale Solar Europe 2025
?? 25-26 March
?? Lisbon ISEA’s Eva Barrett, PhD will moderate the Irish Market Spotlight panel alongside Declan Cullinane , sharing insights on Ireland’s solar growth, regulation, and investment landscape.
?? Register here: Large Scale Solar Europe
?? SolarPower Summit 2025 – Let’s Flex
Join us for one of Europe’s most important solar events. ISEA members can avail of a 10% discount on tickets.
?? 26-27 March
?? Albert Hall, Brussels
?? Register here: SolarPower Summit 2025 - Let's Flex
?? Solar Ireland 2025: Advancing Towards Net Zero
Ireland’s leading solar conference returns! Sponsorship, exhibition, and attendee details coming soon.
?? 2 October
?? RDS, Dublin
?? Irish Renewable Energy Awards – A Historic First!
ISEA & Wind Energy Ireland are partnering to launch the first-ever Irish Renewable Energy Awards. More details coming soon!
?? 13 November
?? Royal Dublin Convention Centre
?? New Feature: Irish Women in Solar – Morgan Pierce
In our Irish Women in Solar series, a collaboration with WISE(IR), we are proud to feature Morgan Pierce , CEO of SolarSmart Energy Ltd .
As a leader of a female-owned solar business in Ireland, Morgan shares her journey, insights, and the importance of diversity in the renewable energy sector.
?? Read the full feature here: Irish Women in Solar - Morgan Pierce
?? What’s New on the Blog?
?? Ireland’s Renewable Energy Landscape – Key figures on how solar and wind are shaping Ireland’s clean energy future.
?? Ireland’s Solar Journey: Leading the Clean Energy Transition – The EMBER 2025 European Electricity Review highlights solar as the star of Europe’s energy transition—and Ireland is stepping up.
?? Read more insights here: ISEA Blog
Looking Ahead
February’s solar data shows real progress, with generation nearing 40GWh and midday peaks approaching record levels. But as solar grows, so do the challenges. Grid capacity, investment, and policy alignment will be key to ensuring Ireland maximizes the potential of its solar resources.
With key industry events ahead and major policy discussions on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for Ireland’s energy transition. We look forward to working with our members, partners, and policymakers to keep solar at the heart of Ireland’s Net Zero future.
The ISEA Team