Guide to Solar Panels in Ireland
Are you and your family looking at ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Or reduce your electricity bill? Maybe it is a combination of the two.
Imagine a life where you didn’t have to worry about the thing that keeps Irish people awake on holiday – “did I remember to switch off the immersion?” Imagine free, year-round hot water. Bath anyone?
Let’s take a deep dive into solar panels in Ireland, exploring whether PV panels are worth it, how they work, their benefits and the Energia discounts you can avail of if you have them installed. Whether you’re exploring solar panels for electricity and hot water or just starting your research, this guide covers the essentials.
What are solar panels?
Solar panels are boards of connected silicon semiconductors that absorb sunlight to create electricity or heat water. Find out more about Solar PV here: Energia Solar PV Panels Can Minimise Fossil Fuel Dependency | Energia
What kind of solar panels heat water?
There are multiple solar panel technologies available that use sunlight to heat water. In Ireland, the most common is a solar thermal collector or solar hot water collector. As an Energia customer you can have a solar thermal collector mounted on your roof at a discounted rate.
What kind of solar panels produce electricity?
Solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity. They can help you save on your electricity bills, improve the BER of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. There is a grant available from the SEAI in Ireland for this kind of solar panel.
What is the difference between solar panels that heat water and make electricity?
Solar photovoltaic panels create electricity when a particle of light impacts the panel of semiconductors. It only works while the sun is out. It will also work on dull days capacity will reduce by 10-30%. Solar thermal collectors have fluid in tubes that the sun heats. The fluid is then moved from the panel and transfers the heat to water in a storage tank, heating it up for use.
How do I get solar panels installed in Ireland?
If you are an Energia customer, having solar thermal collector solar panels installed is easy. Fill out a solar panel enquiry form. A certified representative from Energia’s cosy home scheme will be in touch to discuss your needs. Once we have established what you require Energia will manage the entire process from beginning to end including safety tests and grant drawdowns. If you are interested in PV solar panels to generate electricity, the SEAI offer grants towards the cost of installation.
Are solar panels environmentally friendly?
Yes, solar panels are one of the cleanest sources of energy. Solar heat is both efficient and sustainable. Solar panels don’t use water to generate electricity and they do not release any harmful substances into the environment. Best of all, the source of the energy is free and plentiful.
How many solar panels are needed to heat water in a house?
There are two factors that impact the answer to this question:
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The number of people in the house
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How much hot water they use
So it is likely to vary by project. In many instances upgrades will be completed based on the number of people that could live in your home rather than current occupancy. This is another factor to take into consideration when installing solar panels.
What are the disadvantages to solar energy?
There are very few disadvantages to solar energy. There is an initial outlay for installing the panels, but this will be recouped in energy savings within a few years. While standard solar PV systems generate electricity during daylight hours, pairing them with smart meter technology and storage through smart solar allows households to store surplus energy and use it when it suits them. If you want solar panels to generate electricity they will not be as efficient on dull days, and they cannot store electricity during fine weather for use at another time.
Do Solar panels work in Irish weather?
Solar panels are designed to work effectively in Ireland’s climate and generate energy throughout the year. While they perform best in direct sunlight, modern solar panels continue to produce electricity and heat on cloudy, wet and cold days. Output is lower during winter due to shorter daylight hours, not temperature, and rain does not stop panels from working. As long as there is daylight, solar panels can generate energy for Irish homes. To put things in perspective, around 75% of annual solar energy in Ireland is produced between May and September, when daylight hours are longest. By adding a solar panel battery, households can store surplus electricity for later use, while microgeneration allows excess energy to be exported back to the grid.
Do solar panels work during rain?
We have so many rainy days in Ireland, this is an important question to answer. The good news is, yes your solar panels will work during the rainiest days. The clouds may filter out some of the brightness causing a reduction in efficiency, but they are still working.
Do solar panels work at night?
No solar panels require sunlight to work. Researchers are working on creating an anti-solar panel which may be able to generate electricity at night, but they are still in development.
Do solar panels work in winter?
Yes, they still work in winter however because the days are shorter, they will have less output than in the summer months.
Can solar panels work without direct sunlight?
Yes, solar panels work most efficiently in direct sun, but they can work without it too.
Do solar panels last forever?
No, but modern solar panels have long lifespans. Most systems last between 25 and 30 years and continue producing energy beyond this period at reduced efficiency. This lifespan is more than sufficient to offset installation costs through savings on electricity and hot water.
Adding solar panels to your home has clear financial and environmental benefits. Why not get in touch today to see how Energia can help you on your journey to a greener and more sustainable home?
FAQs: Solar Panel Guide
Is it worth getting solar panels in Ireland?
Yes, solar panels are worth it in Ireland due to rising energy costs, SEAI grants and consistent year-round daylight.
Is it worth installing a battery with solar panels?
Yes, a battery allows you to store excess electricity and use it later, increasing savings and self-consumption.
Do solar panels work during rain?
Yes, your solar panels will work during rainy weather. While cloud cover reduces sunlight intensity and output, PV panels still generate electricity and heat even on wet Irish days.
Do solar panels work at night?
No, solar panels require daylight to generate electricity or heat. While research into night-time solar technology exists, it is not currently available for homes.
Do solar panels work in winter?
Yes, solar panels work in winter, though output is lower due to shorter daylight hours.
Can solar panels work without direct sunlight?
Yes, solar panels work best in direct sunlight but still generate energy in cloudy or overcast conditions, which makes them suitable for Ireland’s climate.
