Key Performance Indicators

We will be contacting all microgeneration customers in mid-December with an eligibility and payment update.


What is microgeneration?

Microgeneration is the generation of green electricity from renewable technologies, such as solar panels, micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable combined heat and power (CHP).

Smart Meter Benefits

Getting the most out of your smart meter

What is the Microgeneration Scheme?

The Government Microgeneration Support Scheme allows households with a registered microgeneration device to sell any excess electricity back to Ireland’s electricity grid. This payment is called a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG).

How can I avail of microgeneration?

Most Electric Ireland microgenerators have solar PV installed on their roof. Your solar PV installer would have registered an NC6 form on your behalf to ESB Networks. This form provides us with the information we need to set you up.

Getting the most out of your smart meter

Getting the most out of your smart meter

Is there a grant for solar PV?

Electric Ireland customers can avail of up to €2,400 from an SEAI grant towards the cost of installing solar PV in their home, as well as an interest-free payment plan on solar PV equipment.

Hear from our experts on microgeneration

Smart Meter Rollout

Duncan Stewart

Microgeneration is here and Electric Ireland is supporting customers on their low-carbon journey. Architect and environmentalist Duncan Stewart speaks to Electric Ireland about the small changes we can all make that will have a big impact. Learn More

Smart Meter Rollout

Aoife Gallagher

Aoife Gallagher is Electric Ireland’s Microgeneration Product Manager, and as an energy engineer is best-placed to answer some of your frequently asked questions around microgeneration. Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

How does microgeneration work?

Microgenerators generate clean, renewable energy to meet some or all of the electricity demands of a household or business. When coupled with a diverter, this renewable energy can heat a water tank.

The Government Microgeneration Support Scheme is now available so that those with a registered microgeneration device can sell any excess electricity back to Ireland’s electricity grid.

This will help households reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

What is the Clean Export Guarantee?

The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) is the payment households will receive when they sell their excess electricity back to the national grid.

Who is eligible for the Microgeneration Support Scheme?

Electric Ireland customers who own a micro-generator such as solar PV, micro-wind, micro-hydro, or renewable micro-CHP are eligible for this scheme. You must have an export grid connection, which is typically organised by the installer on installation or can be organised through ESB Networks.

When will my payment start?

We will begin making payment from the 2nd of December onwards. You will receive your first credit on your next scheduled bill after this date. Due to the different customer billing cycles, this will mean that some customers will receive their microgen credit on their January 2023 or February 2023 bill. You will then receive a microgeneration credit on each bill thereafter, reflecting the amount of electricity you exported in that period.

What rate will I be paid?

Electric Ireland is pleased to offer a rate of 21c per kWh. We estimate that this payment will range between €50-€300 per year, depending on the size and type of your microgeneration system (a typical installation of 10 panels would be about €150 per year).

Do I need a smart meter to avail of microgeneration?

Where possible, a smart meter is required to avail of microgeneration payments. Smart meters can measure the profile of demand at your home and thereby allow you to maximise your self-consumption. Smart meters can also measure the export of microgeneration installations to facilitate access to remuneration for residual electricity exported to the grid.

If you have a microgenerator installed, such as solar PV, ESB Networks will submit an NC6 form on your behalf. This form will inform us at Electric Ireland that you have a registered microgeneration device and ESB Networks will install a smart meter for you if you do not already have one.

If, for any reason, you cannot have a smart meter installed in your home, you will receive estimated payments based on the size of your installed microgeneration device. For mor information on the benefits of smart meters, visit our smart meters FAQs.

When will I get a smart meter?

If you have microgen such as solar PV and a standard 24hr smart meter, ESB Networks have prioritised you for smart meter installation and they will be in touch shortly. Unfortunately we cannot provide detail on a timeline.

I'm on a day/night tariff, can I avail of microgeneration?

Yes. If you have a day/night meter it is not scheduled for replacement with smart meter at this time, however you will still receive a deemed estimate based on the size of your installation and this will be back dated to either February 15, 2022 or the time your microgeneration system was installed with the correct NC6 form submitted.

I am not an Electric Ireland customer, can I still avail of the Microgeneration Scheme?

Only Electric Ireland customers who meet the criteria above are eligible for the Microgeneration Scheme through Electric Ireland. Sign up to Electric Ireland.

What is solar PV?

Solar PV panels use the sun's energy to convert daylight into renewable energy. The electricity is then consumed within the home, reducing your need to buy energy from a supplier. When a Solar PV system produces more energy than a home needs, the extra energy can go to your immersion heater. Solar PV is not to be confused with

Solar Thermal - while Solar Thermal heats water only, Solar PV gives you free electricity and hot water.

Most customers install solar PV on their roof, however they can be installed anywhere on your property where there is sufficient open space and good sun exposure.

Electric Ireland can provide customers with solar PV through our preferred partners, NRG Panel. Our specialist teams will help you apply for solar PV grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

What happens if I switch to another electricity provider after registering for microgeneration with Electric Ireland?

At the end of this year you will be paid by Electric Ireland for the period up to switching to another supplier and your new supplier will advise on how they will make the payment for the next period.

I have solar PV installed but I don’t know the status of my NC6 or NC5 form.

It’s likely that your PV installer submitted an NC6 or NC5 form on your behalf. Once the form is processed we are made aware that you have a microgeneration system at your property. We recently contacted all of our customers who we know to have microgeneration. If you did not hear from us it's possible that an NC5 or NC6 form has not been submitted for your microgenerator and you will need to contact your installer or ESB Networks for advice.

Where can I get an NC6 form?

The NC6 form and associated information is available on ESB Networks website.

How does the microgeneration payment work?

Your first payment will be a backdated payment made in the form of a credit on your electricity bill at the end of 2022. Thereafter a credit will be applied on each bill reflecting your microgeneration export in that period.

Can I see how much electricity I am exporting to the grid?

Your first payment will be a backdated payment made in the form of a credit on your electricity bill at the end of 2022. Thereafter a credit will be applied on each bill reflecting your microgeneration export in that period.

The insights in my online account don’t look right?

Appliance itemisation in your online account uses import data from the grid to determine estimated usage. Because you generate your own electricity, these insights and the corresponding advice may not represent actual appliance usage. The total kWh’s you have imported and your billed amount are accurate. Although export data is not shown in your online account, you may be able to view yours by creating a ESB Networks Online Customer Account.