Heneghan calls on Government to match UK on plug-in solar

Independent TD Barry Heneghan says he is again calling on the Government to urgently fast-track plug-in solar regulations following the UK’s announcement yesterday that British households will be legally permitted to install balcony solar panels from 27 August 2026.

Deputy Heneghan, who is an Independent TD for Dublin Bay North, is a qualified mechanical engineer and holds a Masters in Sustainable Energy Systems from DCU specialising in data centres, waste heat and district heating.

The UK has changed the law to allow retailers including Currys, B&Q and Asda to sell plug-in solar panels directly to renters and apartment dwellers.

The systems, which cost from around £400 and plug into a standard wall socket, are expected to cut household bills by up to £110 a year (UK Market but irish people could save more)

Due to Ireland sharing an open border and a cross-border electricity market with the North. From 27 August, a household in Belfast can legally buy a balcony solar panel in Asda and plug it in. A household in Dublin cannot.

Deputy Heneghan, who has raised plug-in solar over 59 times in the Dáil and the Joint Committee on Climate and Energy since his election, said:

“We were told last week in the climate and energy committee that Ireland will not have plug-in solar regulations in place before the end of summer.

“Yesterday the UK announced 27 August as the date their households can start cutting their bills. That gap is now embarrassing.

“We have an open border. We share a grid standard with the UK. ESB Networks has confirmed they support this technology.

“The Minister supports it. The working group is meeting. There is no technical reason Ireland should be months behind Britain on this.

“Every week of delay is another week renters and apartment dwellers in this country pay electricity bills they cannot reduce.

“That is not acceptable when the solution costs €300 and will be available in Asda across the border.”

Deputy Heneghan is calling on the Minister to set a specific implementation date in line with the UK’s 27 August deadline and to confirm that plug-in solar will be included in the National Energy Affordability Taskforce Action Plan going to Government in Q3.