Solar Panels Ireland

Solar panels, also known as solar PV panels in Ireland (PhotoVoltaic), are devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy. They are composed of many solar cells made from semiconductor materials, typically silicon.

Solar panels reduce annual energy bills by generating energy from the sun, reducing your reliance on energy from the electrical grid.

Solar panels work in a (relatively) simple way. The first step is known as the “PhotoVoltaic Effect”, which is where sunlight strikes the solar cells causing electrons to flow on the semiconductor material (silicon) and generates an electric charge. The electricity is DC (Direct Current), meaning it flows in one direction. This electricity makes its way to the solar inverter where it is converted from DC electricity into AC (alternating current) which is used in our homes.

There are 2 categories of solar panels, solar PV panels as we have just discussed and solar thermal. In practice, solar thermal panels are no longer installed in Ireland, as they are much more primitive and less functional.

Solar thermal panels use the principle of converting the suns energy heat air or water, but they do not create electricity. It is much more efficient to generate electricity using solar PV panels and to divert some electricity as required to heat water. This is known as a hot water diverter and can be easily installed in any solar PV system.

Solar panels have come through many iterations, and there is constant innovation in the solar space. When it comes to choosing a panel, the manufacturer is important, but more important than that is the specifications of the individual panels themselves.

Take our solar panel review for the LONGi Hi-MO X6 Solar Panel.

We recommend that when reviewing your panels you consider 3 key factors:

✅ The wattage per panel (435W is a good target)

✅ The manufacturer warranty (25 years minimum)

✅ The efficiency of the panel over time (usually ~ 80% guaranteed after 25 years)

Another potential consideration is the aesthetic of the panel. Older panels are navy while the newer models are black.

There are a number of what Bloomberg refer to as “Tier-1” solar panel manufacturers. These are manufacturers who are:

✅ Producing high-quality panels at scale: high-efficiency panels, with consistent quality

✅ Financial security: meaning they can honour their panel warranties and won’t go out of business

✅ Track Record: high levels of adoption worldwide and a proven track record of reliability

Tier-1 Manufacturers include: JA Solar, Jinko Solar, LONGi Solar, Tongwei Solar, Trina Solar, BAUER Solar, and more.

Solar panels in Ireland typically cost between €5,000 and €10,000, which works out at between 6 – 16 panels.

We have Ireland’s most detailed breakdown of how solar panel pricing works in our dedicated solar panels cost guide.

The guide includes information on how to choose the right size solar system, the factors which influence the cost, the solar payback period, solar financing options, government policy and more.

Solar panel grants of up to €2,100 are available for Irish homeowners. These grants, provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), are open to all homeowners where their homes were built and occupied before 2021.

The SEAI currently offers homeowners €800 per kW of solar PV panels up to 2kW, and a further €300 per kW between 2kW and 4kW.

For more information on how the grants work, the application process, qualifying dwellings and more, visit our solar panels grants guide Ireland for more information.

Solar Panels Ireland: Available Grants

Climate

Ireland has more than enough sunlight for solar panels to work well. We get between 1,100 and 1,600 hours of sunshine per year on average.

Ireland’s sunniest months are May and June when we get between 5 and 6.5 hours of sunshine per day, and the sunniest region is (unsurprisingly) the south-east, according to Met Éireann.

But isn’t Ireland too cold for solar? No, infact solar works best at moderate temperatures and moderate temperatures increases the lifespan of the panels. Ireland is in the “Goldilocks” zone where the climate is not too hot and not too cold.

Investment

As we discussed above, solar panels Ireland have a signifiant upfront cost, usually in the €5,000 – €10,000 range. So it’s important that the financials are well understood.

The current time required for a solar system to be paid off (at today’s electricity rates) is between 6 and 7 years. This equates to a 14-16% annualised return on investment. There are very few (if any) investments that Irish homeowners can make that will be able to guarantee these kinds of returns. And with your panels under a 25 year warranty, once the payback is complete, you will continue to receive free electricity for at least 18-19 years.

It is the opinion of the Energy Efficiency team that there has never been a better time to go solar.

✅ Reduced Energy Bills: A properly sized solar system will cover 75% of your household electricity requirements.

✅ Payback Period: You will recoup your upfront investment within 7 years (based on today’s electricity prices).

✅ Free Energy: Once the payback period is complete, you will enjoy free energy for 18 – 30+ years.

✅ Environmentally Friendly: By installing a solar system on your roof, you are removing 4 tonnes of Co2 from your emissions. This is the equivalent of planting around 100 trees.

✅ Low Maintenance: Solar panels have no moving parts, and as such they are super low maintenance. Just keep them clean and clear of shading.

✅ BER Rating: Your home’s BER rating will increase once you install solar, increasing your house price and improving.

We explore these reasons further in our advantages of solar energy guide.

Many people who install PV panels will choose to get a solar battery, which usually cost between €2,350 to €2,850 for a standard 5kWh battery.

This could save you hundreds of euros per year by maximising usage and reducing the amount of electricity not consumed. It is a particularly viable option for Irish households who are not there for a large part of the day and then come home and have increased electricity consumption in the evening.

Homeowners in Ireland can also take advantage of cheaper nighttime electricity rates by utilising electricity stored in the battery from the daytime.

Speak with a member of our team and determine the type of solar that best suits your situation

As well as very little maintenance work being required for 25+ years, the solar installation process itself is fairly straightforward and pain-free.