Solar power becomes Ireland's third-largest electricity source after record generation
Friday 3 July 2026
Solar energy has become Ireland's third-largest electricity source, with grid-scale generation reaching a record peak of 1,133 MW in April 2026.
Solar energy has become the third-largest source of electricity generation in Ireland, following wind and other renewable energy resources.
According to data from EirGrid, solar power accounted for 2.8% of the country's total electricity generation during the month of March. This expansion comes as Ireland crossed a major renewable energy milestone in March 2026, reaching 8 gigawatts of total installed renewable electricity capacity.
On 25 April 2026, grid-scale solar generation in Ireland reached a historic peak of 1,133 MW, highlighting the growing role of solar photovoltaic installations on the national grid.
The overall expansion of renewable energy also showed strong performance earlier in the year. In February, renewable energy sources supplied nearly 50% of Ireland's total electricity, with wind energy remaining the largest single renewable contributor at 41%.
This growth in solar capacity across the national grid has been supported by ongoing government grants aimed at household rooftop installations.