October 07, 2025

As solar panels become a common feature on Irish rooftops, many homeowners are eager to enjoy the long-term savings and sustainability benefits they bring. But with any major home upgrade comes an important question: will solar panels affect my home insurance?

It’s natural to have concerns. Will premiums rise? Could adding panels make claims more complicated? Are batteries and ground-mounted systems treated differently? Homeowners often worry about unexpected costs or gaps in cover if they don’t handle things correctly with their insurer.

In this article, we’ll explain when and why you need to inform your insurance provider, whether panels are usually covered, how premiums might be affected, and what to do about battery storage, financing, or grants.

1. Do I need to tell my insurer if I install solar panels?

The short answer is: Yes, you should tell your insurance provider.

Most providers expect changes that affect rebuild cost or property value. Not telling your insurance provider can leave you under-insured, affecting any future claim for damage to the panels or your property.

Typically, insurance companies and consumer guides advise notifying your provider whenever you add or install major fixtures, such as a solar system.

Your home cover will typically protect your solar panels in the event of damage due to fire, adverse weather, storm or a tree falling. Theft and vandalism would also be covered under your home insurance policy.

2. Will my solar panels be covered by my home insurance?

Usually yes, but it is important to read the details.

Solar panels fixed to the roof are commonly treated as part of the building as they are considered a “permanent fixture”, and are therefore normally covered under your home insurance.

It’s important to note that there are some caveats:

• If panels are ground-mounted, on an outbuilding, or on separate structures, some policies require those to be specifically listed or to have separate cover.
• Battery storage can be treated differently depending on its location (utility room, garage or outside) and whether the insurer considers it buildings, contents, or a specialist item. (source: Compare Insurance)

3. How Will Installing Solar Panels Affect My Insurance Premium?

Installing solar may increase your premium, but typically only by a small amount, if at all.

Why premiums might change:

• Rebuild cost: Adding panels increases the cost to repair or rebuild your home, which can push you into a higher sum-insured requirement.
• Risk profile: Infrequent cases, insurers may consider things like risk of storm damage, fire risk from electrical systems, or theft (especially for accessible ground-mounted arrays or detached garages).
• What to expect in Ireland: Many homeowners report only modest increases (if any), and some insurers simply add the panels to the buildings sum insured without changing the premium much. Still, you should confirm the potential premium impact before installation so it’s not a surprise.

4. Insuring Solar Battery Storage

Insuring battery storage is a little more complicated, as they introduce a number of considerations for insurers.

The location of the battery will be of interest to the insurer, as this may determine whether it’s covered under the building’s policy, or the contents policy.

Fire and thermal-runaway are specific technical risks insurers consider for lithium batteries. Some insurers will ask for details on the battery type, installation standard, and fire-safety measures.

If the battery is financed or leased, ownership terms can also affect claims and policy wording.

We recommend asking your insurance provider. With varying practices at play, the simplest and least stressful way forward is to gather your system details and discuss them with your insurer before installation.

5. Does Ownership or How it’s Financed Matter?

Yes, but usually only for liability or replacement responsibilities.

If your solar system is owned outright, you’re the insured party responsible for maintenance and replacement.

If it’s leased, financed, or part of a third-party PPA/loan, the contract will often define responsibility for repairs and insurance, and insurers may want to see those contract terms.

There are legal cases abroad examining whether financed systems are fixtures or consumer goods, this can influence claims cases, so keep paperwork handy.

6. What Affects Whether Your Panels are Covered: Checklist

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to make sure you’re properly covered. These are practical actions, you can complete them before or at installation:

• Tell your insurer before installation. Explain that you plan to install a rooftop solar PV system (and/or battery) and ask them how it will be covered. Get any changes in writing.
• Confirm which policy section covers the panels (buildings or contents) and whether battery storage is included or needs separate cover.
• Confirm sums insured. Make sure your buildings sum insured reflects the increased rebuild cost with panels attached.
• Get installer documentation. Keep the quotation, compliance certificates, electrical connection paperwork, and proof of workmanship/guarantee. Insurers will ask for these in a claim.
• Ask about policy exclusions or excesses. For example, some policies may require storm-proof fixing or list specific excesses for roof-mounted items.
• Check whether theft / vandalism is covered for ground-mounted or easily accessible systems.
• Check whether any maintenance or inspection requirements are imposed by your insurer (for instance, periodic checks).
• If you have a battery, ask about fire-safety protocols and whether any additional safety measures are required to keep cover valid.

These steps give you the facts to avoid surprises and ensure any future claim is handled smoothly.

7. What To Do If Your Panels are Damaged, Stolen or You Need To Claim

If something goes wrong:

• Document the damage with photos and timestamps.
• Locate and keep the installer’s paperwork and any maintenance records.
• Notify your insurer as soon as possible and follow their claims process.
• Do not attempt repairs that might affect evidence unless you’re minimizing further loss (and you should record any temporary measures).
• Ask if a specialist assessor is needed for photovoltaic systems; insurers often use engineers familiar with solar systems.

Being organised and keeping the installation and warranty paperwork will speed up any claim.

8. Do Grants Affect Insurance?

Having grant-funded works does not by itself change insurance, but the paperwork is useful for establishing the value and specifications of the equipment.

Read this article to learn more about the SEAI Home Solar Grant and how to claim it.

Insurers may also offer “green rebuild” or sustainable improvement options in some policies, such as additional sums to rebuild using more sustainable materials after a major claim. It’s worth asking your insurer whether they have such benefits. Some insurers also offer sustainable upgrade options on larger claims.

9. Questions To Ask Your Insurer

When you contact your provider, use these questions:

• “Will rooftop solar PV panels be covered under my buildings insurance or contents insurance?”
• “Do I need to increase my buildings sum insured because of the panels, and if so, by how much?”
• “Will installing a battery storage system require extra cover or result in a policy exclusion?”
• “Are there specific installer qualifications, certificates, or fire-safety measures you require?”
• “Will theft or storm damage to roof-mounted panels be covered, and what excess applies?”
• “If my system is financed/leased, do you need to see the contract?”

Keeping these questions handy will get you precise answers and reduce ambiguity.

10. FAQs

Q: Do solar panels always increase premiums?

A: Not always. Sometimes the premium barely changes, sometimes it increases modestly. Always check with your insurer ahead of installation.

Q: Are ground-mounted panels covered?

A: Not necessarily, many insurers require explicit cover for panels not fixed to the main dwelling.

Q: Does installing panels change my home’s resale value for insurance purposes?

A: It can increase rebuild/market value. Insurers care about rebuild cost rather than market value, but both matter for sums insured.

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11. Final Thoughts

Solar panels are commonly accommodated by Irish home insurance, but the exact treatment varies between insurers and depends on system type (roof vs ground), batteries, and how the system is owned or financed.

The best approach is simple: gather your installation paperwork, ask the questions above, and update your insurer before installation so the policy reflects the true rebuild cost and risk.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re thinking about going solar, we can help make the process stress-free. Complete the form below to get a free home solar quote and consultation.