Ireland Hits 1GW Solar Milestone Before 2025

Ireland has hit another milestone in terms of renewable energy development – surpassing its renewable energy generation target for solar power in the year 2024 ahead of schedule.

From the Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, ‘The State has hit a thousand MW of installed solar capacity – a target for 2025. This exemplifies our rapid transition to a new world in energy and strengthens Ireland’s position among the new solar power countries in Europe.’

Fast Growth and Record Performance

The solar industry in Ireland has seen significant growth. In 2023, there was an increase in solar capacity in Ireland of more than 160%, a remarkable increase in growth. Monthly generation hit a record high of 66 GWh in April 2025, the highest figure for any month because of steady, continuing month-over-month growth.

This fast growth is more than just capacity, however — it’s about impact. Solar has allowed Ireland to offset the use of 1.5 million barrels of oil in the last year and contributed directly to the lowest levels of carbon emissions in the last 20 years.

Government Incentives Drive Solar Growth

Strong government support is at the center of this change. The solar grant scheme for residential users in Ireland received over 7,000 applications in two months, with more than 20,000 homes adopting solar energy each year. This brings renewable energy closer to homes and engages homeowners in the decarbonisation objectives for the country. 

The Irish government is making plans for their next auction of renewable electricity in 2026, and affording its attention to large-scale solar installation projects. With large-scale investment in the market, like NTR’s 105 MW Ballydonagh Solar Project in County Galway, we are beginning to see people investing as confidence in the market increases in renewables market in Ireland increases. 

Advancing Climate Goals and Europe’s Transition

The early progress made by Ireland on solar power is in support of their own long-term goals that include a carbon emissions reduction of 51% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. The accomplishment also reflects a longer trend across Europe, as the EU produced more than half of their electricity from renewable sources in the first half of 2024. 

Ireland will also serve as an example for countries across the globe as solar will continue to decline in costs and technology continues to improve. The success will also lead many governments to think through initiatives to stimulate and encourage solar adoption in households.