28 ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • Industry News Midsummer Renewables Eleven represents another step in that approach, giving installers an additional energy storage technology to consider when specifying solutions for their customers. The next chapter The renewable energy industry has come a long way in Ireland in a relatively short space of time. Solar PV has gone from being a relatively niche technology to becoming an increasingly familiar sight on rooftops across the country. Battery storage is following a similar path, and it looks set to become an even more important part of the conversation over the coming years. As Ireland heads into autumn, it feels like a good time to look ahead. The energy industry is changing quickly, and Midsummer Renewables is continuing to bring new technologies to the Irish market to help installers keep pace. Eleven sodium-ion batteries are now available from Midsummer Renewables, giving Irish electricians and solar installers another innovative energy storage option to consider for their customers. So, as the evenings start getting shorter and the heating gets switched on again, there’s no better time to start thinking about how we can store more of the energy we generate. As we approach the end of Summer, Midsummer is ushering in the beginning of a new chapter for renewable energy in Ireland. (from page 27.) Energy-Efficient Homes Command Higher Sale Prices Based on data from MyHome covering almost 50,000 homes sold across Ireland during 2023 and 2024, the analysis found that each improvement on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale was associated with an average 2.7% increase in final sale price nationwide. The effect was strongest in rural Ireland, where each step up the BER scale was linked to an average 4.7% increase in property value. The research used actual completed sale prices rather than advertised prices, providing a clearer picture of how much buyers are willing to pay for more energy-efficient homes. It was conducted using the 15-point BER scale, before the recent introduction of the simplified eight-point scale. Rural properties see strongest uplift The relationship between energy efficiency and property value was evident across different Improving a home’s energy efficiency can significantly increase its market value while reducing energy bills and improving comfort, according to new analysis from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). property types and locations. Houses recorded a slightly higher average uplift than apartments, with each BER improvement associated with a 2.8% increase in value for houses, compared with 2.2% for apartments. Location also played a role. Urban areas outside Dublin recorded an average 2.7% uplift, compared with 1.7% in urban Dublin. SEAI suggests the lower uplift in the capital may reflect the greater influence of factors such as location, space and proximity to amenities. Nevertheless, the analysis found that BER improvements remained a significant contributor to property value when other factors affecting sale prices were taken into account. Energy efficiency adds value The research indicates that BER improvements can have a stronger impact on final sale prices than on initial asking prices, suggesting homeowners may be able to unlock additional value by upgrading their properties before selling. For buyers, the attraction of energy-efficient homes extends beyond resale value. Lower and more predictable energy bills, together with improved warmth and comfort, are increasingly important considerations. Energy efficiency is also becoming more closely linked to mortgage affordability, with many lenders offering green mortgage products for homes rated B or better. With homes accounting for almost a quarter of Ireland’s energy use, improving residential energy performance can therefore benefit both household finances and the country’s wider climate goals. In 2025, SEAI government grant schemes supported upgrades in more than 58,600 homes, including more than €230 million in free home energy upgrades for 8,100 vulnerable energypoor homes. www.seai.ie
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