Solar panel installation in Ireland: timeline, BER, and what to ask installers

Understanding the solar panel installation process helps you prepare, avoid surprises, and ensure quality work. This guide explains timelines, requirements, and key questions to ask installers before committing.

Installation timeline

The entire process from decision to generating electricity typically takes 6-12 weeks.

Week 1-2: Getting quotes

What happens:

Contact 3-4 SEAI-registered installers
Schedule site surveys (30-60 minutes each)
Receive detailed quotes with generation estimates

Your role:

Research installers online
Prepare questions (see list below)
Provide electricity bills for usage analysis
Discuss any roof concerns

Week 3-4: Choosing installer and grant application

What happens:

Compare quotes and select installer
Sign contract
Installer applies for SEAI grant on your behalf
Grant approval typically takes 5-10 working days

Your role:

Confirm BER is current (dated within 10 years)
Provide required documentation
Clarify any quote uncertainties

Week 5-10: Scheduling and procurement

What happens:

Equipment ordered
Installation date scheduled
ESB Networks notified
Final preparations

Your role:

Confirm installation date
Ensure roof access is clear
Arrange to be present on installation day

Week 11-12: Installation (1-2 days)

Day 1:

Scaffolding erected (if needed)
Panels mounted on roof
DC cabling installed
Roof work completed

Day 2 (if needed):

Inverter installation
AC electrical integration
System commissioning and testing
Monitoring app setup
Handover and training

Simple installations (straightforward south-facing roof, easy access) often complete in one day.

Complex installations (multiple roof planes, shading solutions, difficult access) take two days.

Immediately after: Activation

System starts generating immediately
ESB Networks notified (for export payments)
Monitoring begins
Grant payment processed to installer

BER requirements

A current BER (Building Energy Rating) certificate is required for SEAI grant eligibility.

BER requirements:

Certificate must be dated within last 10 years
Must be for the property where panels are being installed
Provisional BER acceptable in some circumstances

If you don’t have a current BER:

Costs €150-250 for assessment
Takes 1-2 weeks to arrange and receive certificate
Factor this into your timeline and budget

BER assessors:

Must be SEAI-registered
Search “SEAI BER assessors” to find local assessors
Often the solar installer can recommend assessors

Pre-installation requirements

Before installation, ensure:

Roof condition:

Structurally sound (installer assesses during survey)
Free from damage or leaks
Expected to last 20+ years

Access:

Clear path to roof for equipment and installers
Space for scaffolding if needed
Vehicle access for delivery

Electrical system:

Fuse board accessible
Modern consumer unit preferred (older boards may need upgrading)
Space near fuse board for inverter installation

Documentation:

Current BER certificate
Proof of ownership or landlord permission
Recent electricity bills

What happens during installation

Understanding the installation day helps you prepare.

Morning: Setup and roof work

7:30-9:00 AM: Arrival and setup

Installers arrive (typically 2-3 people)
Equipment unloaded
Safety briefing and site setup
Scaffolding erected (if required)

9:00 AM-1:00 PM: Panel mounting

Mounting rails fixed to roof
Weatherproof fixings installed
Panels lifted to roof
Panels secured to mounting system
DC cabling run

Afternoon: Electrical integration

1:00-2:00 PM: Lunch break

2:00-5:00 PM: Inverter and electrical

Inverter mounted (usually near fuse board)
DC cables connected from roof
AC electrical integration
Connection to home circuit
System testing

5:00-6:00 PM: Commissioning and handover

Final testing and certification
Monitoring app setup
System demonstration
Documentation handover
Site cleanup

Post-installation steps

After installation completes:

Immediate (installers do this):

System starts generating
ESB Networks notified
Grant completion paperwork submitted

Within 1-2 weeks (you do this):

Contact electricity supplier about Smart Export Guarantee
Register for export payments
Download and familiarize yourself with monitoring app

Within 4-6 weeks:

Grant payment processed to installer
You receive final invoice (reduced by grant amount)
Certificates and warranties provided

Questions to ask installers

Before choosing an installer, ask these key questions:

About the company

How long have you been installing solar panels?
How many installations have you completed?
Are you SEAI-registered? (verify on SEAI website)
Can you provide references or recent customer contacts?
What insurance do you carry?

About equipment

What brand and model of panels?
What’s the panel warranty (should be 20-25 years)?
What brand and model of inverter?
What’s the inverter warranty (should be 5-10 years)?
Is the inverter hybrid (battery-ready)?
What monitoring system is included?

About the installation

What’s included in the quote price?
What scenarios might add to the cost?
How long will installation take?
Who does the actual installation (employees or subcontractors)?
Do you handle all SEAI paperwork?
What happens if I need to re-roof within a few years?

About performance and maintenance

What annual generation do you estimate?
Is this guaranteed?
What maintenance is required?
What’s your after-sales support like?
How quickly do you respond to issues?
What happens if equipment fails during warranty period?

Red flags

Walk away if an installer:

Pressures you to sign immediately
Can’t provide SEAI registration
Offers vague equipment specifications
Has very few or very negative reviews
Won’t provide written quotes
Quotes significantly below market rate without clear explanation

Planning permission

Most homes don’t require planning permission for solar panels.

Exempted development (no permission needed):

Panels on roof of dwelling or detached building
Don’t protrude more than 50cm from roof plane
Not forward of front wall (front-facing roofs may need permission)
Not on protected structure

When permission IS needed:

Protected structures
Buildings in conservation areas
Front-facing roofs in some circumstances
Apartments (may need management company approval)

Your installer should advise on your specific situation. When in doubt, check with your local authority planning department.

Safety and quality standards

Reputable installations meet:

Electrical standards:

I.S. 10101:2020 (Code of Practice for Safe Electric Installation)
SEAI technical specifications
ESB Networks requirements

Roof work standards:

Weatherproof mountings
Structural load calculations
Safe working practices

Certifications:

Electrical Safe-T-Cert
Installation completion certificate
Equipment warranties

Always request and keep copies of all certification.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be present during installation?

Yes, recommended. You’ll need to provide access, answer questions, and receive training on the system. If you can’t be present all day, ensure you’re there for the handover.

What if weather is bad on installation day?

Roof work requires dry conditions. Rain or high winds will cause postponement. Installers typically have some flexibility to reschedule.

Do I need to turn off power during installation?

Briefly (5-15 minutes) when connecting the inverter to your fuse board. Installers will advise when this is needed.

What happens if they damage my roof?

Reputable installers have insurance covering accidental damage. Clarify insurance coverage before signing. Damage is rare with experienced installers.

How soon after installation can I see generation?

Immediately. Your monitoring app shows real-time generation. On a sunny day, you’ll see power flowing within seconds of system activation.

Related: Understand solar panel costs in Ireland for detailed pricing guidance. Learn about SEAI grants for complete eligibility information.

Read our comprehensive solar panels in Ireland guide for everything you need to know about costs, savings, and whether solar is right for you.