FAQs
General Solar PV FAQs
There is an opinion out there that Solar Panels (Solar PV) would not work in Ireland, this stems from people thinking that we don’t get enough sunlight in the Summer, never mind the Winter for solar panels to produce energy.
This however is not true, Solar Panels (Solar PV) work on daylight as opposed to the heat from the sun. In fact, Ireland has the same annual Irradiation levels as many parts of Central Europe, ranging from 1200 kWhr/m2/yr in the south of the country to 1000 kWhr/m2/yr in the north of the country, a good average for the entire country is 1100 kWhr/m2/yr.
If you consider our typical winters would not be as bad as many parts of Central Europe, our mild climate is ideal for Solar Panels (Solar PV), as we never get too hot or too cold and we have good light levels for a large part of the year.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) are a clean source of energy – Solar Panels (Solar PV) uses the sun’s energy to generate clean green electricity that can be used directly in place of conventionally generated power in your home or business. It is one of the easiest and most beneficial renewable energy technologies to add to any building, whether commercial or domestic.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) saves you money – You not only save money on your electricity bills, but you are protecting yourself against inevitable price rise from energy suppliers and potential energy shortages in the future.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) reduces your carbon footprint – Each unit of electricity generated by a solar PV system reduces the amount of CO2 that is emitted from conventional power stations. Over 25 years, a 2KW Solar panel (Solar PV) array will generate over 36,000 units of electricity and save over 20 tonnes of CO2.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) are versatile – Solar Panels (Solar PV) can be installed at almost any location; usually mounted on a building’s roof, but they can also be integrated into the fabric of the building, replacing traditional roofing, glazing or cladding materials, or on simple ground-mounted structures.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) system will take power from the Solar Panels “first” naturally and will only draw power from the grid if there is insufficient power available from the Solar Panels. The flow of electricity in a system is determined by the electrical potential at all points in the system.
The simplest analogy is to think of the flow of electricity in a network of conductors connected to the grid as being like the flow of water through a network of pipes connected to a water main. If there is more pressure in the network of pipes than in the water main, water will flow out into the water main – and vice-versa.
SEAI are offering solar panel grants for the install of solar panels on your home. There is currently a solar panel grant of €900 – €2,400 for solar panel (Solar PV) and battery installs. In order to qualify for the SEAI solar panel grant you must meet the following criteria.
€900 per kWp up to 2kWp and €300 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp
As of February 2022 there is no longer grant add for a battery add on.
Your house must be built and occupied prior to 2021 and not of availed of a grant for solar PV in the past.
We use top quality Solar Panels (Solar PV) sourced directly from Europe with some of the highest warranties and efficiency levels on the market.
Solar panel prices Ireland vary. It is really important that when you are comparing quotations for Solar Panels you compare like with like on all components of the system, there are cheaper models on the market however, these are not of the same quality or efficiency. You also need to consider the company you are dealing with, is this an established company with quality customer service that will be there in 5-10 years should you have any issues with your Solar Panels down the line.
It is very hard to give a direct quote as it all depends on the type of system the consultant designs for you, but prices start from around €6,000 depending on what you go for. There are also buy now pay later options available so you can spread the cost of your system across a couple of years
The Solar Panel (Solar PV) system designed for you is dependent on a number of factors including your electricity usage, lifestyle and the details of your home and roof, this is why it is important to have a consultation to ensure we are offering you a bespoke system specifically designed for your needs.
No, you will still have an electricity bill with Solar Panels (Solar PV). We aim to design a bespoke system for you that will reduce your bills by up to 50% – there is a payback period on the system of approx. 8 years – however, with electricity prices on the rise and the possibility of selling back the grid in 2022 we expect the pay back period to reduce.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) modules have a manufacturer’s warranty of 30 years and a working lifetime of 40 years and beyond. As the photovoltaic effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon, there is nothing to say that the panels will not continue to create electricity for as long as they are in sunlight.
A Solar Panel (Solar PV) system that is designed, installed, and maintained well will operate very efficiently for at least 25 years. The best way to ensure and extend the life and effectiveness of your PV system is to purchase quality components from a reputable company who will guarantee that your system is correctly installed and commissioned.
Solar Panels (Solar PV) are maintenance free – Solar Panels (Solar PV) are usually cleaned quite adequately by the rain. As the system has no moving parts it requires no general maintenance and the only projected cost is the replacement of the inverter at some time during the lifetime of the system.
Testimonials
Solar PV Energy recently installed our Solar PV System. From our initial query/quote to completion, the level of service we received was top class and Thomas and his team were a pleasure to have working on our home. Their level of professionalism and attention to detail was fantastic. We would highly recommend Thomas and his team for all PV installations.
John Lenehan
I recently got Solar PV Panels installed by the boys in TMC Electrical Solar PV specialists. Absolute gents! From quoted to the final panel being installed, Thomas and the team were outstanding and so professional. Highly recommend!!
Amy Byrne
Great job. Very happy.