Solar Guide
Choosing a Solar Installer: What to Expect
The installer you choose matters as much as the panels they put on your roof. Here's what a good installation process looks like, what to watch out for, and how to tell the professionals from the cowboys. This guide is part of our complete guide to solar panels in Ireland.
Key Takeaways
- SEAI registration is mandatory for the grant — and a baseline quality check for any installer
- The full process from first contact to generating power typically takes 4–8 weeks
- A good installer always does a site visit before giving a final quote
- There are 345 registered domestic solar PV companies in Ireland as of 2026
The Full Installation Process
From your first enquiry to flipping the switch, a properly managed solar installation follows six clear steps. Understanding each one helps you spot when something's off.
Initial contact and enquiry
You reach out to an installer (or a service like EnergyBase.ie). Share your basic details — house type, roof orientation, typical electricity bill. A good company will answer your initial questions without pressuring you to commit.
Site survey
A qualified installer visits your home to assess your roof (condition, orientation, shade, access), check your electrical panel, and discuss your energy usage. This is essential — no one can give an accurate quote without seeing your property.
System design and quote
Based on the site survey, the installer designs a system tailored to your home and provides a detailed written quote. This should itemise panels, inverter, mounting, electrical work, scaffolding, BER assessment, and any extras. See our <a href='/guides/solar-panel-costs'>cost guide</a> for what each item should cost.
SEAI grant application
Your installer submits the grant application on your behalf. You must receive the SEAI approval letter before any work begins. They also apply to ESB Networks for grid connection — this typically takes 4+ weeks.
Installation (1–2 days)
The installation team arrives with scaffolding, fits mounting rails and panels, installs the inverter and wiring, and connects everything. Most systems are installed in a single day. Adding a <a href='/guides/solar-battery-worth-it'>battery</a> may add a few extra hours.
BER assessment and commissioning
A registered BER assessor visits to update your home’s energy rating. Your installer commissions the system, registers it with ESB Networks, and hands you the monitoring app login. You’re now generating your own electricity.
The actual installation is the quick part — just 1–2 days. Most of the 4–8 week timeline is waiting on paperwork: SEAI grant approval, ESB Networks grid connection application, and scheduling. Before you start, make sure your home is suitable for solar panels.
What a Good Installer Will Do at Each Stage
During the site survey
- Physically inspect your roof from outside (and ideally the attic space)
- Check your electrical consumer unit (fuse board) for capacity
- Assess shading from trees, chimneys, and neighbouring buildings
- Measure available roof area and confirm orientation with a compass
- Discuss your electricity usage patterns and bill size
- Explain what system size they'd recommend and why — our seasonal output guide helps you understand their projections
In the written quote
- Itemised cost breakdown (panels, inverter, mounting, electrical, scaffolding, BER)
- Specific equipment brands and models
- Expected annual generation in kWh
- Estimated annual savings
- SEAI grant amount deducted
- Warranty terms for panels, inverter, and workmanship
- Timeline for installation
If any of these are missing, ask. A transparent installer will be happy to provide them. Our cost breakdown guide explains each line item so you know what to expect.
Red Flags to Watch For
Warning signs of a bad installer
No SEAI registration: Without this, you won't get the €1,800 grant. It's also the baseline quality and qualification check — registered installers must hold QQI Level 6 qualifications and be Registered Electrical Contractors.
No site visit before quoting: Anyone who gives you a final price without visiting your home is guessing. Roof condition, orientation, shade, and electrical capacity all affect the design and cost.
High-pressure sales tactics: "Sign today or the price goes up." "This offer expires Friday." Legitimate installers don't need to pressure you. Walk away.
Unusually low quotes: If one quote is dramatically lower than the rest, ask why. It may mean corners are being cut on equipment quality, labour, or warranty coverage.
No insurance documentation: A reputable installer carries public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. Ask to see certificates if they're not provided.
No written warranty: Verbal promises mean nothing. You need written warranties for panels (25–30 years is standard), inverter (10–15 years), and workmanship (minimum 2 years, ideally more).
What SEAI Registration Actually Means
SEAI registration isn't just a rubber stamp. To become and remain registered, installers must meet specific requirements:
- Hold QQI Level 6 qualifications in solar PV systems implementation
- Be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) with Safe Electric Ireland
- Provide proof of tax clearance and insurance
- Complete a 6-month provisional period with satisfactory inspection pass rates
- Maintain a minimum of 5 installations per year to stay registered
As of 2026, there are 345 registered domestic solar PV companies in Ireland. Registration is necessary for your installer to process the SEAI grant on your behalf — and it's a meaningful indicator of professional standards. The grant is worth up to €1,800, so using a registered installer is essential.
How to Verify an Installer
Don't take anyone's word for it. You can verify an installer's credentials yourself:
- SEAI Registered List: SEAI publishes a searchable list of all registered solar PV installers on their website. If a company isn't on it, they can't process your grant.
- Safe Electric Register: Check they're a Registered Electrical Contractor at safeelectric.ie
- Google Reviews / Trustpilot: Look for genuine reviews from real customers. The industry average is 4.7/5 on Google — a company well below that is worth questioning.
- Ask for references: A good installer will happily put you in touch with recent customers in your area.
- Check their insurance: Ask for public liability and professional indemnity certificates.
How EnergyBase.ie Vets Our Network
We're not an installer — we're a solar advisory service. Our role is to guide you through the process and connect you with installers we trust. Learn more about how we work. Here's how our approach works:
- Every installer in our network is SEAI-registered and verified
- We review your enquiry and answer your questions first — before connecting you with anyone
- We don't share your details with installers until you've spoken with our team and decided you're ready
- We match you based on your location, system needs, and preferences — not who pays us the most
- We stay available for questions throughout your journey, even after installation
We're advisors, not salespeople
Think of us as a knowledgeable friend who happens to know the best installers in your county. We don't pressure you to commit, we don't share your info without permission, and we don't disappear once you've been matched. Our team is here to make sure you have a good experience from start to finish.
Get Matched with a Trusted Installer
Skip the guesswork. Start with our savings calculator, then our team will review your situation, answer your questions, and connect you with a vetted installer from our network when you're ready.
Ready to find a trusted solar installer?
Our team vets every installer in our network. Get connected with the right one for your home — free, no obligation.