Electricity generated from domestic rooftops in Ireland is up 80% in a single year, a new report has found. 

According to the current Scale of Solar report, solar energy could power 280,000 homes this year.

Overall solar power output - which includes energy generated on commercial solar farms - went up by 43%. 

Despite the progress, Irish Solar Energy Association CEO Conall Bolger said there are still challenges if future targets are to be met.

“We’ve already seen the evidence of a slowdown in those figures,” he said. 

“There’s points like last year where we were connecting something like 100 homes a day. 

“We’re closer now to 65 homes a day; those numbers will continue to slow down if the Government proposed reduction in the grant at the end of the year is carried through.” 

Solar panels on a roof. Image via Pexels.com

Last year, carbon emissions in Ireland fell by an estimated 4% and the Government aims to deliver a 51% reduction in emissions between 2021 and 2030. 

It is an ambitious target and Mr Bolger said more renewable power needs to be installed if it is to be met. 

“We delivered 500 megawatts in the last 12 months effectively,” he said. 

“We need to double that to hit our targets; we have a high volume of projects, we have a high volume of suitable rooftops. 

“So, really the challenge for us… is going to be building and connecting these projects.” 

The Government has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Main image: A man installing a rooftop solar panel array. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy