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Commercial Solar Panels

Commercial solar projects in Ireland

This is a reference list of 84 commercial solar installations in Ireland, each with its size, installer, year and source. The largest is Eli Lilly, Kinsale at 9.6 MW. 30 are 1 MW or bigger. A second list covers 390 on-site schemes from the national planning register.

Prices last reviewed October 2026

What are the largest commercial solar installations in Ireland?

SiteCountySizeInstallerYear
Eli Lilly, KinsaleCork9.6 MWEnerpower, now Greenvolt Next2021
Dublin Airport (daa)Dublin9 MWEnerpower / Greenvolt Next2025
Tirlán, BallyraggetKilkenny8 MWESB Smart Energy Services2025
Dew Valley Foods, ThurlesTipperary7.8 MWESB Smart Energy Services2023
MSD BallydineTipperary7.3 MWESB Smart Energy Services2022
Mannok, CavanCavan6 MWActiv8 Solar Energies2026
Arrabawn Co-op, NenaghTipperary5.8 MWAstatine2024
Dale Farm, CookstownTyrone (NI)4.9 MWCES Energy2017
Belfast International AirportAntrim (NI)4.8 MWLightsource2016
Liffey Meats, BallyjamesduffCavan4.5 MWActiv8 Solar Energies
Sanofi, WaterfordWaterford4 MWGreenvolt Next2025
Bombardier wing plant, BelfastAntrim (NI)3.6 MWSALIIS Renewables2014
Carey Glass, NenaghTipperary2.7 MWESB Smart Energy Services2023
Gyproc (Saint-Gobain), KingscourtCavan2.5 MWActiv82026
Guerbet, DublinDublin2.4 MWEnerpower by Greenvolt2022

Sizes are as the source states them. Sites in Northern Ireland are marked NI. Supermarket chains that fit panels across many stores are counted in the full list below, not here: Lidl Ireland stores (programme), 20 MW; Aldi Ireland stores (programme), 6.3 MW; Tesco Ireland stores (programme), 5 MW.

Which sectors install the most solar?

SectorProjects listedLargestSize
Pharma and medtech9Eli Lilly, Kinsale9.6 MW
Food and drink16Tirlán, Ballyragget8 MW
Manufacturing19Mannok, Cavan6 MW
Supermarkets and retail10Lidl Ireland stores (programme)20 MW
Warehouses and logistics6Sam Dennigan & Co, Oldtown1.5 MW
Airports and ports5Dublin Airport (daa)9 MW
Hotels and leisure5Dromoland Castle Hotel292 kW
Offices4Fexco188 kW
Car dealerships3Windsor Motor Mall (Nissan), Dublin113 kW
Public sector9Causeway Hospital, Coleraine1.2 MW
Stadiums and arenas3SSE Arena / Odyssey Complex, Belfast420 kW

Each sector page lists every project in it, the planning applications for that kind of building and why solar suits it.

What do businesses say they save?

53 of the 84 projects have a published cost, saving, payback or share of electricity. These are the figures the business or its installer gave. Nobody has audited them.

  • Eli Lilly, Kinsale9.6 MW

    Cork · Pharma and medtech · Enerpower, now Greenvolt Next

    Cost
    $5 million (phase 1 only, snippet)
    Share of use
    20%
    Output
    almost 6 GWh (phase 1 only, snippet)

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Dublin Airport (daa)9 MW

    Dublin · Airports and ports · Enerpower / Greenvolt Next

    Share of use
    10% to 13%
    Output
    7 to 9 GWh a year

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Tirlán, Ballyragget8 MW

    Kilkenny · Food and drink · ESB Smart Energy Services

    Share of use
    34% of imported electricity
    Output
    about 7.6 GWh a year

    Source: ESB

  • Dew Valley Foods, Thurles7.8 MW

    Tipperary · Food and drink · ESB Smart Energy Services

    Share of use
    up to 40% in non-winter months

    Source: ESB

  • MSD Ballydine7.3 MW

    Tipperary · Pharma and medtech · ESB Smart Energy Services

    Share of use
    up to 20%
    Output
    about 7.9 GWh a year

    Source: ESB

  • Aldi Ireland stores (programme)6.3 MW

    Supermarkets and retail · Greenvolt Next

    Cost
    €5 million
    Share of use
    about 30% per store
    Output
    95,500 to about 100,000 kWh per store a year

    Source: pv magazine

Show 47 more projects
  • Arrabawn Co-op, Nenagh5.8 MW

    Tipperary · Food and drink · Astatine

    Cost
    €3.5 million
    Share of use
    about 15%
    Output
    5,400 MWh a year

    Source: TechBuzz Ireland

  • Tesco Ireland stores (programme)5 MW

    Supermarkets and retail · Greenvolt Next

    Share of use
    up to about 20% per store

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Dale Farm, Cookstown4.9 MW

    Tyrone (NI) · Food and drink · CES Energy

    Share of use
    about 20%

    Source: Irish Farmers Journal

  • Belfast International Airport4.8 MW

    Antrim (NI) · Airports and ports · Lightsource

    Share of use
    about 27%

    Source: Lightsource bp

  • Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff4.5 MW

    Cavan · Food and drink · Activ8 Solar Energies

    Cost
    €3 million to €3.1 million
    Output
    2.29 million kWh (with the wind turbine)

    Source: Agriland

  • Sanofi, Waterford4 MW

    Waterford · Pharma and medtech · Greenvolt Next

    Share of use
    around 20%
    Output
    about 3.2 GWh a year

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Bombardier wing plant, Belfast3.6 MW

    Antrim (NI) · Manufacturing · SALIIS Renewables

    Cost
    around £3.5 million
    Share of use
    around a quarter
    Output
    about 3,000 MWh a year

    Source: Downing

  • Carey Glass, Nenagh2.7 MW

    Tipperary · Manufacturing · ESB Smart Energy Services

    Share of use
    up to 13%
    Output
    about 2.4 GWh a year

    Source: ESB

  • Gyproc (Saint-Gobain), Kingscourt2.5 MW

    Cavan · Manufacturing · Activ8

    Saving
    about €230,000 a year
    Share of use
    up to 15%
    Output
    about 2,235 MWh a year

    Source: ThinkBusiness

  • Guerbet, Dublin2.4 MW

    Dublin · Pharma and medtech · Enerpower by Greenvolt

    Share of use
    about 18%
    Output
    about 2 million kWh a year

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Astellas, Damastown2.2 MW

    Dublin · Pharma and medtech · Greenvolt Next

    Share of use
    27%

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • Bulmers (C&C Group), Clonmel2 MW

    Tipperary · Food and drink · Enerpower

    Share of use
    10%

    Source: C&C Group

  • Cork Airport, Holiday Blue car park1.7 MW

    Cork · Airports and ports · Greenvolt Next

    Share of use
    about 20%
    Output
    more than 1.5 GWh a year

    Source: Greenvolt Next

  • PepsiCo, Little Island1.6 MW

    Cork · Food and drink

    Cost
    €2.4 million
    Share of use
    over 20%

    Source: Echo Live

  • Kingspan Environmental, Portadown1.3 MW

    Armagh (NI) · Manufacturing · Kingspan Energy

    Share of use
    30% of daytime demand
    Output
    1.1 to 1.3 GWh a year

    Source: Specification Online

  • Dexcom, Athenry1.2 MW

    Galway · Pharma and medtech · OHK Energy

    Share of use
    a third at peak (radio blurb)
    Output
    estimated 1.0 to 1.1 GWh a year

    Source: LinkedIn

  • Shannon Airport1.2 MW

    Clare · Airports and ports

    Cost
    €3.6 million
    Share of use
    up to 20%

    Source: The Shannon Airport Group

  • Causeway Hospital, Coleraine1.2 MW

    Londonderry (NI) · Public sector

    Cost
    £1.2 million
    Saving
    about £141.7k in the first year

    Source: Northern Health and Social Care Trust

  • AMS (Architectural & Metal Systems), Little Island993 kW

    Cork · Manufacturing · PV Generation

    Saving
    €200,000+ (project page); €300,000 (commercial page)
    Output
    about 862.6 MWh a year
    Payback
    about 5 years

    Source: PV Generation

  • Kyte Powertech, Cavan950 kW

    Cavan · Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    20%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Blanchardstown Centre815 kW

    Dublin · Supermarkets and retail · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    over 40%
    Output
    689,593 kWh a year

    Source: TechCentral

  • Tayto Snacks, Ashbourne772 kW

    Meath · Food and drink · Activ8 Solar Energies

    Cost
    €1.17 million
    Share of use
    about 10%
    Output
    about 667 MWh a year

    Source: ThinkBusiness

  • Tricel, Killarney750 kW

    Kerry · Manufacturing · Enerpower

    Share of use
    25%
    Output
    776,000 kWh (PV Europe); Tricel cites 561,000 kWh displaced

    Source: Tricel

  • Butlers Chocolates, Clonshaugh420 kW

    Dublin · Food and drink · Gaelectric

    Share of use
    about 14% of base load
    Output
    more than 350,000 kWh a year

    Source: Checkout

  • McGowans Print350 kW

    Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    25%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Techcrete, Balbriggan320 kW

    Dublin · Manufacturing · Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI)

    Saving
    €45,000 a year
    Payback
    5.5 years

    Source: Alternative Energy Ireland

  • Wicklow County Council, County Buildings300 kW

    Wicklow · Public sector · Enerpower

    Share of use
    sized to 40% of building load
    Output
    265,800 to 285,000 kWh a year

    Source: Wicklow County Council

  • Dromoland Castle Hotel292 kW

    Clare · Hotels and leisure

    Saving
    up to €50,000 a year
    Share of use
    over 20%

    Source: LONGi

  • Manhattan Peanuts, Finglas275 kW

    Dublin · Food and drink · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    40%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • HPC Group260 kW

    Supermarkets and retail · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    32%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • NVD, Baldonnel257 kW

    Dublin · Warehouses and logistics · Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI)

    Share of use
    about 25%
    Payback
    3 years (installer promise)

    Source: Alternative Energy Ireland

  • IJM Timber250 kW

    Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    26%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Wexford Viking Glass180 kW

    Wexford · Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    22%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Cedarwood Furniture180 kW

    Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    35%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • The Montenotte Hotel, Cork140 kW

    Cork · Hotels and leisure · PV Generation

    Cost
    €150,000
    Share of use
    expected 34% cut in energy use
    Output
    about 140 MWh a year
    Payback
    2.8 years

    Source: PV Generation

  • Folens70 kW

    Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    44%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Burgmann Packings66 kW

    Manufacturing · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    53%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • Adare Manor60 kW

    Limerick · Hotels and leisure · Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI)

    Saving
    €9,300 a year
    Payback
    4.2 years

    Source: Alternative Energy Ireland

  • Peter Hurley Warehousing, Ballinasloe37 kW

    Galway · Warehouses and logistics · Electric Skyline

    Output
    about 30,481 kWh a year
    Payback
    2.2 years

    Source: Electric Skyline

  • Hyland Shipping35 kW

    Warehouses and logistics · UrbanVolt

    Share of use
    56%

    Source: UrbanVolt

  • 9 White Deer Brewery30 kW

    Cork · Food and drink

    Share of use
    about 36%
    Output
    24,667 kWh a year

    Source: SEAI

  • Dawn Meats, Grannagh

    Waterford · Food and drink

    Cost
    €1.5 million
    Share of use
    40%
    Output
    1,560,000 kWh a year
    Payback
    4.5 years depending on unit prices

    Source: Checkout

  • Musgrave NI (9 sites)

    Northern Ireland · Supermarkets and retail · Solmatix

    Cost
    £3 million

    Source: Checkout

  • Lidl distribution centre, Newbridge

    Kildare · Warehouses and logistics · Enerpower

    Cost
    €1 million
    Share of use
    over 25%
    Output
    1,011,929 kWh a year

    Source: Leinster Leader

  • Sligo Park Hotel

    Sligo · Hotels and leisure · Cool Air Ltd

    Saving
    over €25,000 a year

    Source: Travel Extra

  • Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Adare

    Limerick · Hotels and leisure · Woodco / SolarCo

    Saving
    €74,907 a year

    Source: Irish Hotels Federation

  • Uisce Éireann, Thurles treatment plant

    Tipperary · Public sector · Glan Agua MEIC

    Share of use
    10% cut in imports
    Output
    83,264 kWh a year

    Source: Uisce Éireann

For what a system of your size should cost, see commercial solar panel cost. Sports clubs have their own comparison on solar panels for sports clubs.

Which installers have built the most?

InstallerProjects listedLargest listed project
Greenvolt Next (formerly Enerpower)21Lidl Ireland stores (programme), 20 MW
UrbanVolt11Kyte Powertech, Cavan, 950 kW
Activ8 Solar Energies6Mannok, Cavan, 6 MW
ESB Smart Energy Services5Tirlán, Ballyragget, 8 MW
Pinergy SolarElectric4Defence Forces, Casement Aerodrome Hangar 5, 358 kW
Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI)4Techcrete, Balbriggan, 320 kW
PV Generation2AMS (Architectural & Metal Systems), Little Island, 993 kW
SolarCo2Tipperary Boutique Distillery, 50 kW

This counts projects with a published source that names the installer, so it favours firms that publish case studies. It is not a ranking of quality. Where two firms are credited, the project counts for the first named.

All commercial solar projects

89 projects. Select a column heading to sort.
Source
Lidl Ireland stores (programme)Supermarkets and retail, 201720 MWGreenvolt Next (formerly Enerpower)Greenvolt Next
Eli Lilly, KinsalePharma and medtech, 2021Cork9.6 MWEnerpower, now Greenvolt NextGreenvolt Next
Dublin Airport (daa)Airports and ports, 2025Dublin9 MWEnerpower / Greenvolt NextGreenvolt Next
Tirlán, BallyraggetFood and drink, 2025Kilkenny8 MWESB Smart Energy ServicesESB
Dew Valley Foods, ThurlesFood and drink, 2023Tipperary7.8 MWESB Smart Energy ServicesESB
MSD BallydinePharma and medtech, 2022Tipperary7.3 MWESB Smart Energy ServicesESB
Aldi Ireland stores (programme)Supermarkets and retail, 20256.3 MWGreenvolt Nextpv magazine
Mannok, CavanManufacturing, 2026, under constructionCavan6 MWActiv8 Solar EnergiesEngineers Ireland
Danone, MacroomFood and drink, planned6 MWNot named
Arrabawn Co-op, NenaghFood and drink, 2024Tipperary5.8 MWAstatineTechBuzz Ireland
Tesco Ireland stores (programme)Supermarkets and retail, 20255 MWGreenvolt NextGreenvolt Next
Dairygold, MitchelstownFood and drink, planned5 MWNot namedAgriland
Dale Farm, CookstownFood and drink, 2017Tyrone (NI)4.9 MWCES EnergyIrish Farmers Journal
Belfast International AirportAirports and ports, 2016Antrim (NI)4.8 MWLightsourceLightsource bp
Liffey Meats, BallyjamesduffFood and drinkCavan4.5 MWActiv8 Solar EnergiesAgriland

5 of these are announced or planned and are marked. The rest are reported as built or under construction.

What does the planning register show?

The national planning register holds 390 applications to 30 September 2026 for solar panels that supply a business, public building or other premises on its own site. Councils granted 331 and refused 2.

MeasureFigure
Applications for on-site solar390
Granted331
Refused2
Roof-mounted255
Ground-mounted97
Capacity granted, across the 134 that state a size37.2 MW
Busiest year2022, with 109 applications
Named sites confirmed built by a published report28

Applications peaked in 2022. In October of that year the planning exemptions for solar were widened, and most rooftop systems stopped needing permission. The register now mainly shows ground arrays, carports and sites near airports.

SiteCountySize applied forStatusPlanning record
Mondelez (Cadbury's chocolate factory)Dublin1.8 MWGranted2023, ref 3878/23
Cork AirportCork1.7 MWGranted2024, ref 2443516
Adare Manor Hotel and Golf ResortLimerick1.3 MWUnder construction2024, ref 2460189
Western Brand ChickenMayo970 kWGranted2022, ref 22733
Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment PlantKildare880 kWGranted2022, ref 221371
Cavanhill Water Treatment PlantLouth840 kWGranted2024, ref 2460066
Zimmer BiometGalway820 kWUnder construction2022, ref 2260104
Boyne Valley MeatsMeath800 kWGranted2025, ref 2560454
Takeda IrelandWicklow636 kWGranted2023, ref 2360076
KCETBKilkenny600 kWGranted2026, ref 2660382
Show 20 more granted schemes
SiteCountySize applied forStatusPlanning record
Cregg VillageSligo600 kWUnder construction2023, ref 2360250
EI ElectronicsClare565 kWBuilt2022, ref 22773
NSC CampusCork496 kWGranted2023, ref 2341906
Oldleighlin QuarryCarlow428 kWGranted2022, ref 22238
Ballyhandle QuarryCork420 kWGranted2026, ref 26/0801
Dunshaughlin Water Treatment PlantMeath415 kWGranted2024, ref 2460084
Osberstown Wastewater Treatment PlantKildare325 kWGranted2022, ref 221343
Ballyboden Water Treatment PlantDublin260 kWGranted2024, ref SD24A/0069W
Kellymount QuarryKilkenny258 kWGranted2022, ref 22399
Collins SuperValu, CarrigalineCork236 kWBuilt2022, ref 22/4892
West Pier Pumping StationDublin235 kWGranted2024, ref D24A/0140
Avoncourt PackagingCork216 kWGranted2022, ref 2241608
Arthurstown LandfillKildare200 kWGranted2024, ref 2460958
Castletown Tara Wastewater Treatment PlantMeath200 kWGranted2022, ref 221449
Avoncourt PackagingCork199 kWGranted2021, ref 2139886
Holdensrath QuarryKilkenny196 kWGranted2022, ref 22400
SuperValu, Loughrea Shopping CentreGalway192 kWGranted2019, ref 19333
Shelbourne Hall, RDSDublin175 kWBuilt2019, ref 3272/19
Irish International Trading CorporationCork174 kWGranted2023, ref 2342242
Ballynahinch Castle HotelGalway170 kWBuilt2023, ref 23186

"Granted" means the council gave permission. It does not mean the panels are on the roof. A scheme is shown as built only where a news report, the company or its installer says so. The size is the figure in the application, and the system that gets built is sometimes smaller.

How was this list put together?

  • Projects: taken from news reports, company announcements and installers' own case studies. Each row names its source.
  • Planning schemes: every application in the national planning register that mentions solar was read, and grid-scale solar farms and house extensions were removed.
  • Cross-check: each named planning site was searched for a published report that it was built.
  • Limits: the planning register does not name the applicant or the cost. Most rooftop systems since 2022 are not in it at all. Savings are as claimed.

Data last reviewed October 2026. Installers are named as the source reports them.

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