Darragh O’Brien has promised that a new SEAI grant for solar batteries “will help” people reduce their bills. 

Ahead of Budget 2027, much of the public discussion has focused on energy costs at a time when global forces have pushed up fossil fuel prices. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien said the long-term solution is to invest in clean, cheaper green energy.

The Fianna Fáil TD continued he has made SEAI grants for retrofitting homes “more flexible [and] accessible” since assuming office, adding that there has been a “really significant increase in retrofitting” in recent months. 

“Working with colleagues in the SEAI, I've been all over this myself,” he said. 

“Listening to people saying, ‘Why am I applying for a grant? Why am I not doing this?’

“And then I've been removing those barriers to do it.”

Solar panels on a roof. Picture by: Pexels.com. 

Yesterday, the Government announced that people purchasing a new solar battery are now entitled to an SEAI grant of €600. 

A single battery typically cost several thousand euro, but will save a home with solar panels several hundred euros in energy costs every year. 

“I think the batteries are really important because you've got your solar PV, you've your energy and you can store it and use it at appropriate times,” he said. 

“Charge your car and use it with the battery.”

A bungalow with solar panels. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

The Government has set itself a target of retrofitting 500,000 homes to at least a B2 standard by 2030. 

The aim is to reduce the cost of heating people’s homes and reducing the State’s carbon emissions. 

“Look, we’ve have 100,000 [SEAI] applications this year already,” Minister O’Brien said. 

“That's 100,000 households that are going to be able to reduce their energy bills, that are going to be able to reduce their energy use. 

“So, I think these grants will help.”

Main image: Darragh O'Brien. Picture by: Alamy.com.