Solar Energy Benefits
Understanding Solar PV
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels harness sunlight to generate electricity, typically producing the most energy on bright, sunny days and less during shorter, darker winter months. The energy generated by the panels is sent to an inverter, which then distributes the electricity to the fuse board within your home or business.
With a Solar PV system, the energy produced takes priority over the grid electricity, powering your property’s electrical needs first. This reduces your reliance on grid energy, leading to significant savings on electricity bills. Solar power not only cuts costs but also helps lower your carbon footprint, making it a sustainable choice for both residential and commercial properties.
By installing Solar PV, you invest in clean, renewable energy, while reducing your long-term energy expenses.
How Solar Power is Used
in Your Home or Business
Once solar electricity is generated by your Solar PV system, it can be used in several ways to maximize its efficiency and reduce your reliance on the grid:
- Immediate Consumption: The generated solar power is first used to meet the electricity needs of your home or business. Any electrical appliances or devices in use will directly consume the solar energy.
- Excess Power to the Grid: If the solar system produces more energy than is required at that moment, the excess power is fed back into the grid. This can potentially result in energy credits or feed-in tariffs, depending on your agreement with your energy provider.
- Storage for Later Use: If you generate more electricity than is immediately needed, the surplus can be stored in a battery for later use, typically during evening hours when sunlight is no longer available. Alternatively, it can be diverted to heat water using an immersion heater in a hot press tank, providing hot water when needed.
This flexible energy usage ensures you get the most out of your solar energy investment, whether it’s reducing grid dependence, lowering bills, or increasing your sustainability efforts.
Installing Your Solar PV System: Key Considerations
When it comes to installing Solar PV panels, the ideal setup is to place them on a roof facing south, ideally between east and west, to capture maximum sunlight. However, Solar PV systems can also be ground-mounted on a frame or specially designed structure, such as a pergola or carport. For ground-mounted systems, a full south-facing orientation is typically chosen to ensure maximum solar energy generation.
Optimal Site Conditions
For the best performance, it’s important that the installation site is not heavily shaded. Shading from nearby buildings, trees, or other obstructions can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panels and, in turn, decrease the overall energy output. Even a moving shadow, such as from a chimney or tall tree, can significantly affect the energy yield of a string of panels. To combat this, optimizers can be used on shaded panels to prevent energy loss across the entire string.
If shading is permanent, for example, due to a tall building, then installation may not be feasible. This is why north-facing roofs are not suitable for Solar PV installations in Ireland, as they are too far from the sun’s optimal path. In some cases, when the roof pitch is low (less than 20°), panels may be installed slightly north of east or west.
Planning Permission and System Size
Good news: for most domestic and small commercial projects, planning permission is no longer required for Solar PV systems.
In terms of system size, most installations now include at least 8 to 10 panels. For practical reasons and to ensure the most cost-effective setup, it’s typically recommended to install at least 6 panels. For most households, a system size of 12 to 20 panels will generally meet energy needs and deliver the best return on investment.
The size of the system will depend on the available space, energy requirements, and budget, but rest assured that Sunstream Energy will help you design the ideal solution to fit your specific needs.
Solar PV System Cost Estimates in Ireland
The cost of a Solar PV system in Ireland can vary significantly based on size and components. For a small system without a battery or hot water diversion system (EDDI), prices typically start around €5,000. Larger systems with more than 22 modules and 10kWh battery storage can cost up to €18,000.
Grants and Savings
For home installations, the SEAI offers a grant of up to €2,100, which is already factored into the price estimates above.
Feed-in Tariffs (FIT)
Energy suppliers now pay a feed-in tariff (FIT) for excess electricity sent back to the grid. Rates typically range from €0.16 to €0.24 per kWh, depending on your energy supplier. To receive FIT payments, a smart meter must be installed to measure the exact amount of energy exported.
Note: All figures are approximate estimates as of Autumn 2024 and may vary based on specific system requirements and energy providers.
Benefits of Solar PV Systems
- A Solar PV system can significantly reduce your energy bills, saving up to 75% of your energy costs, with a payback period of just 4 to 8 years, depending on the system you choose
- By harnessing solar energy, you’re also reducing your carbon footprint. Since solar power is a completely renewable energy source, it helps to minimize emissions, with each unit of grid electricity carrying about 0.4 kg of carbon emissions
- Solar panels are built to last, with a minimum service life of 25 years. Depending on the manufacturer, warranties typically range from 15 to 30 years, ensuring long-term reliability and peace of mind
- Solar modules are largely maintenance-free. They are designed to be self-cleaning, although in cases of heavy bird fouling or extreme dust accumulation a professional cleaning service may be needed to maintain efficiency
Switching to solar is a sustainable, cost-effective choice for your home or business, offering both immediate savings and long-term environmental benefits.