Solar panel installation in Mayo jumps by 54%

LATEST research by Switcher has revealed that Mayo is the 10th most eco-friendly county in Ireland.

As more households take advantage of government grants and prioritise warmer, more energy-efficient homes, Switcher’s study ‘Ireland’s Greenest Homes’ analyses and ranks the counties with the most sustainable houses in Ireland.

Mayo earned a place in the top 10 as one of the counties with the greenest homes in the country after performing well across all categories.

In 2024, the county saw a whopping 54% jump in SEAI solar panel installations, and a 28% increase in homes with BER ratings of B2 or higher.

Wicklow was crowned the county with the most eco-friendly homes for the second year running.

The top 10 comprises Wicklow, Meath, Galway, Louth, Wexford, Cork, Kildare, Dublin, Kerry and Mayo.

Though this year’s study showed a 3% drop in recycling levels and a 24% decline in newly registered electric cars in 2024, there was a surge in households retrofitting their homes and using cleaner, renewable energy.

Since last year’s study, Switcher found that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) completed 53,985 home energy upgrades in 2024, an increase of 13% from 2023; some 278,713 homes had a BER rating of B2 or above in 2024 - 33% - higher than in 2023; 256,517 tonnes of mixed dry recyclables were collected, which the EPA say was a 3% drop from the previous year; amd 17,458 new electric cars were registered in 2024, a 24% drop from the previous year.

Commercial director of Switcher.ie, Eoin Clarke said: “Though EV take-up and recycling dipped slightly, 2024 saw a surge of households making their homes warmer, cleaner and more energy efficient.

“Energy costs have remained volatile, and as potential price increases hover on the horizon, our study found significant improvements in BER ratings, SEAI property upgrades and solar.

"Upgrading a home’s energy efficiency can come with steep upfront costs, so we'd encourage homeowners to take advantage of any government schemes or loan initiatives on offer. From SEAI grants to the newly launched Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, there's a raft of support available for homeowners seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.”