Registration and competence

For SEAI grant work, check that the company is on the relevant SEAI registered list at the time the installation is carried out. Electrical connection work should be handled by competent electrical professionals.

• Ask for the company name as it appears on the SEAI register.
• Ask who completes the electrical work and commissioning.
• Ask whether the company carries insurance and has relevant safety procedures.
• Ask for recent local references or examples of comparable homes.

Questions before signing

1. How much electricity will this system generate in a typical year?
2. What roof layout and shading assumptions are you using?
3. What is included and excluded from the total cost?
4. What warranties cover panels, inverter, battery, mounting and workmanship?
5. Who handles SEAI grant paperwork, BER and ESB Networks notification?
6. What after-sales support is included if monitoring flags a fault?

Contract and handover

Use a written contract of works and keep a copy of the final design, invoice, payment schedule and handover pack. The grant is between the homeowner and SEAI; the installation contract is between the homeowner and contractor.

• Final system design and estimated performance.
• Datasheets and warranties for components.
• Operation, shutdown, safety and maintenance instructions.
• Declaration of Works and grant documents.
• Monitoring access and installer aftercare contact details.

Maintenance and aftercare

Solar PV is low maintenance, not zero maintenance. Monitor production, keep an eye on inverter/app alerts and ask the installer what cleaning or inspection schedule makes sense for your location.

• Check the app or inverter routinely for errors.
• Compare yearly generation with the installer estimate.
• Keep warranty documents and serial numbers somewhere safe.
• Ask how replacement parts and callouts are handled after the initial warranty period.