Getting solar panels installed can reduce your electricity costs by 50% or more, with the average home able to save €1,300 a year.
It has never been easier or more affordable to install solar panels on your home, reducing not just your energy bills but also your carbon footprint.
Our guide will take you through the entire solar panel installation process, its costs and benefits and looking for a good installer.
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Types of Solar Panels Available in Ireland
There are multiple types of solar panels on the market with different types of technology, which affect their price and performance in different circumstances.
The two different types of solar panels which can go on your home are Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Panels.
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels: Produce electricity from sunlight using the photovoltaic effect. This is what most people mean when they refer to solar panels.
- Solar Thermal Panels: Use the heat of the sun to make hot water for your home. Rooftop solar collectors gather heat and transfer it to a heating coil in a hot water cylinder.
There is further distinction between different types of solar PV panels, with the biggest breakdown being.
- Monocrystalline (Mono-Si): Made from a single silicon wafer, giving the panel a uniform appearance, typically has higher efficiencies.
- Polycrystalline (Poly-Si): Made from multiple silicon crystals melted together. Less expensive than Mono, but with a weaker performance.
- Thin-Film: Made from layers of photovoltaic material laid on a substrate such as steel or glass for lightweight, flexible panels.
Solar Panel Installation Costs
The cost of getting solar panels installed in Ireland is typically somewhere between €4,800 – €8,700 with the SEAI grant. The cost to homeowners will depend on the number of solar panels installed, along with other factors.
- The quality of the solar panels
- The type of roof the building has
- The accessibility of the roof
- The chosen installer
A solar PV system of 12 solar panels, around the average system size in Ireland, would cost approximately €8,600 to €9,200 before the SEAI grant of €1,800.
How much can solar panels save on electricity?
Solar panels can easily reduce your electricity bills by 50% – 60%, possibly even higher by installing a larger system, or including a solar battery.
A household with a 24hr electricity meter using an average of 4,200kWh of electricity would have an average electricity bill of approximately €1,763 each year.
This is based on the following costs:
- Electricity Rate: 35c per kWh (Inc VAT)
- Standing Charge: €250.77
- PSO Levy: €42,25
This means that a household using the national average in electricity can easily cut their bill in half with just a small solar PV system.
| No. of Solar Panels | Annual Savings | New Electricity Bill |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | €864 | €899 |
| 10 | €1,065.5 | €697.5 |
| 12 | €1,296 | €467 |
| 14 | €1,526.4 | €236.6 |
How do I get solar panels installed?
The process of getting solar panels installed has become quick and seamless, and can be done in just one or two days for residential customers once an installer has been chosen and you have agreed on what’s going on the roof.
Solar Panel Grants
Homeowners can receive up to €1,800 in SEAI grants for solar panels. A grant of €1,200 is also available for solar thermal panels from the SEAI.
These grants are available for:
- Private homeowners and landlords renting out a property.
- Any homes built and occupied before 2021.
- Homes which have not already received the same grant.
Applications for this grant can be made online or in post to the SEAI. In most cases your solar panel installer will handle the SEAI grant process.
Choosing the Best Solar PV Installer
To help you decide how many solar panels to install, choosing a reliable solar panel installer is crucial to ensure a smooth process from start to finish. There are a few ways that you can narrow down the search for the best solar installation company.
How much energy do solar panels produce?
The amount of energy produced by an individual solar panel depends on:
- It’s power rating (Watts)
- The amount of sunshine it receives
A 440W solar panel is capable of producing 0.44kWh of electricity in the space of a single hour under standard test conditions. In real world conditions, its output will likely be lower.
A solar PV system of 12 solar panels – 5.28kWp – could produce roughly 4,500kWh of electricity in a year.
Solar panels’ output will vary based on where you live, and the time of year.
How many solar panels do you need?
The number of solar panels that a home needs depends on the amount of electricity it uses.
The average household electricity consumption in Ireland is 4,200kWh. A solar PV system of 6 – 8 solar panels could produce more than half that amount in the space of a year.
| No. of Solar Panels | Annual Output | Household Size |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – 8 Panels | ~ 1,500 – 3,500 kWh | Suitable for a small home of 1 – 2 people |
| 8 – 10 Panels | ~ 3,000 – 3,700 kWh | Suitable for a household of 2 – 4 people |
| 10 – 14 Panels | ~ 3,700 – 5,300 kWh | Enough for a household of 4 -5 people |
| 14 – 20 Panels | ~ 5,300 – 7,500 kWh | Enough for a large house of 5+ people |
There is always a significant advantage in going with a larger solar PV system if your roof can contain it, since it will further reduce electricity bills.
Post Installation Solar PV Maintenance
Solar panel maintenance costs are typically low, as they just need to be kept clean. Rain can clear dust and debris away, but you should carry out an annual clean to make sure they are working to their full potential.
This is a relatively simple job – and unlike installing the panels – you can do it ‘DIY’ if you wish to. All you need is biodegradable soap and a bucket of water with a a soft cloth or sponge. Just ensure to be gentle and use products and materials that will not scratch the panels.
Your solar panels should also be inspected every five years or so by an expert to ensure that everything is in working order, ensuring maximum efficiency.
