Why Solar PV?

Generate Your Own Clean, Green, Renewable Electricity with Solar PV.  By installing  Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels your home can generate clean green renewable energy from daylight - a free and natural resource. Enjoy a silent, odourless and maintenance free system that will also improve your home’s BER rating.

Solar panels ireland

So, how do solar panels in Ireland produce energy? Well, they harness the sun’s power so you can generate clean energy. This means that you can have the electricity you need without the negative side effects that come with other energy production methods, such as burning fossil fuels that let off harmful gasses.

On top of that, any extra watts your solar panel system produces is sent to your utility grid to provide clean energy to the city. Your system automatically exports your excess power to the public power grid, which means you may become eligible to receive credits for all that extra power your solar energy system generates. It could also mean you’ll see a lower average power bill from your current energy provider.

Learn more about Solar PV and the available grants to give you a greater understanding of the benefits before making an investment.

How solar panels work

Our sun is the originator of almost all energy on the planet, and by using solar panels, you’re simply cutting out the “middle-men.”

The photovoltaic effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon where voltage and electrical current are created from exposure to light.

Each solar panel contains photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells convert photons into solar electricity by producing a direct current when sunlight hits the panels. But this is only the beginning. DC electricity can’t simply power your home. Some systems have one inverter for the entire setup or a microinverter for every panel. Either way, these inverters convert that direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to power your home.

Your newly generated electricity then runs through your net meter to power your appliances. It functions just like electricity would from your utility, but without all of the negative side effects on the environment. Even so, you’ll still be connected to the local grid so you can automatically use traditional power should the need arise.

Staying connected to the grid comes with a few advantages, such as potential to share your clean energy and, if you don’t have a solar battery, tapping into traditional energy sources once the sun goes down. You might even be given a credit from your utility for sending your extra power to the grid.

How much does it cost to install solar panels in Ireland?

The average cost of solar panel installation in Ireland is between €6,000 and €17,000. This sum will depend entirely on the factors of your home specifically. Factors such as roof area and aspect will be key in defining cost. The SEAI Grant can help you save up to €3,000 on your solar panel installation. Contact us for more information on your eligibility.  

Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?

When we think of solar panels in Ireland, it’s pretty reasonable to assume that due to our weather being overcast most of the year that they might take longer to return your investment. While of course solar PV needs sunlight to produce energy, it’s important to know how cloudy conditions can affect the efficiency of solar energy generation and how factors such as partial shade can impact your solar system output. So yes, solar panels still work in cloudy Irish weather — they just might generate less power, depending upon the quality and efficiency of your panels. 

As a rule of thumb, 1sq/m of solar panel generates the equivalent of more than 100L of oil. Therefore, a 6sq/m solar system can save you upwards of €600 a year on heating costs. In short, installing solar panels in Ireland is certainly worth it as they will produce energy year round. The cost of solar panels will pay for themselves within a time frame of 8-10 years, producing completely free energy after that point. 

Do solar panels in Ireland work well in winter?

The answer of course is, yes solar panels work in winter, but for obvious reasons, their output is lower than during the height of summer—days are shorter compared to summer, meaning that they are not exposed to the same amount of sunlight. That said, believe it or not, solar panels are actually more efficient in colder temperatures!  The photovoltaic (PV) technology in solar panels is actually able to 

more efficiently convert sunlight to power when they are colder.

Additionally, the solar PV panels are also able to catch the sunlight that reflects off any snow there may be in winter, adding to what the panels themselves could receive throughout the day. 

Do you need planning permission for solar panels in Ireland?

Generally speaking, no,  you do not need planning permission for a solar system in Ireland. This applies when solar panels take up less than 12 square metres of room space (or less than 50% of total roof area.). This is roughly the size of a 6 panel system. We guide you on the planning process. Our free site survey will determine the specifics of your solar panel installation. 

What is the lifespan of solar panels?

After 25 years, solar panels will be at about 80% efficiency on average. So rest assured that they will last long into the future, provided you choose an experienced team like us to help you through the process. 

Do solar panels need maintenance?

Luckily in Ireland, we have slanted rooves and receive a large amount of rainfall per year which aids us in solar panel maintenance through the clearing of debris from the solar panels’ surfaces. Monitoring debris on your solar panels is key in maintaining of their effectiveness. We recommend you clear debris 2-4 times per year. All-in, solar panels are very easy to maintain, just make sure you try to keep dirt and debris off their surface to ensure maximal efficiency. 

Running a house entirely using solar panels is definitely possible! With the help of solar panels and solar batteries, powering your home with solar panels has never been easier or cheaper. The cost of installing a solar energy system has dropped dramatically in the past 20 years due to the vast improvements in technology. Even though it may be cheaper than ever, there are still a few things to know about running your home on just solar panels producing energy. 

The first thing you need to do is to find out how much energy your home uses per month. By seeing the amount of energy your home uses, we can then calculate the energy output of your solar panels to see how much energy is being produced. Unfortunately, in Ireland our climate does not make it the most optimal place to power your home through solar panels alone. Differences in climate play a critical role on energy output. Additionally, the presence of trees or large buildings beside your property that have potential to block light can reduce the energy output of your solar panels. However, do not let these factors scare you away from solar energy. With the right amount of roof space and enough solar PV panels, achieving full power from your solar system is possible. Additionally, with the top class solar batteries that we provide, energy spillover is not a problem! The solar batteries will store the energy that you can then tap into. 

SEAI Grants

The SEAI is offering grants of up to €2,400 towards the cost of a home Solar PV system. 

How to apply for a Solar PV Grant

The application for the grant can be made here

https://mgen.seai.ie/

Who can apply?

Support is available to all owners of dwellings built and occupied before 2011 and where SEAI have not previously provided support for solar PV system at that address.

The homes energy performance following installation of solar panels must be BER C or better