Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is the most versatile renewable energy source available. Solar PV panels generate electricity when they are exposed to sunlight so can be used to add clean cost effective power to almost any situation.
The solar panels can be easily installed on any building or on the ground and can be grid connected or stand alone. Solar PV literally brings energy home, allowing a building to become more energy independent and insulated from high electricity price inflation.
A 2 kW Solar Panel system is typically the best bet for an average Irish household as it caters for the common loads that are on all the time in the household (fridges, routers, alarms etc..). It is also the best value with SEAI dedicating more grant funds per kW to this size of solar panel system than others. However if you have a higher than average electricity use, maybe you have a heat pump or an Electric Vehicle (or both), then a bigger system may suit you.
See our current prices for different Solar Panel systems below.
| Number of Panels | Total Output (kWp) | Estimated Annual Energy Production (kWh) | Cost inc VAT @13.5% | SEAI Grant Available |
Final Cost after grant |
| 4 Mono Panels | 1.46 | 1300 | €4,860 | €1,314 | €3,563 |
| 5 Mono Panels | 1.8 | 1620 | €5,930 | €1,620 | €4,331 |
| 6 Mono Panels | 2.2 | 1980 | €6,133 | €1,800 | €4,354 |
| 7 Mono Panels | 2.6 | 2340 | €6,668 | €1,980* | €4,711 |
| 8 Mono Panels | 2.9 | 2755 | €7,116 | €2,070* | €5,071 |
| 10 Mono Panels | 3.65 | 3450 | €8,100 | €2,295* | €5,833 |
| 12 Mono Panels | 4.4 | 4180 | €9,677 | €2,400* | €7,310 |
| 14 Mono Panels | 5.1 | 4845 | €10,414 | €2,400* | €8,050 |
- *Systems bigger than 2 kWp (6 solar panels) need to include a battery to get the full grant.
- Grant is capped at €2400 in total. €600 grant is available for a solar battery.
- Your house needs to be built before 2011 and achieve a C BER rating after the solar panels are installed to qualify for the solar grant.
Battery Systems for Solar Panels:
Batteries are technically great but tend to add cost to Solar Panel systems. If return on investment is important then try not to use batteries and go for a modest system. But, if you want to get as much technically from solar energy as possible then batteries really make the system sing! SEAI have a grant of €600 for battery systems. See prices below:
| 4.8 kWh | 7.2 kWh | 9.6 kWh | 12 kWh | SEAI Grant Available |
| €4,313 | €5,328 | €6,956 | €8,753 | €600 |
Hot Water Diverter
To maximise the value of the electricity produced by your Solar Panels it is often advantageous to install an Immersion divert system. Any excess electricity that is not used by the electric appliances in your house will be diverted to your electric immersion and will heat your hot water. You essentially use your hot water cylinder as a battery to store energy. This suits systems with no battery. Please be aware that not all immersion diverters are created equal with many of the less expensive systems giving trouble after a few years – (we know we’ve made the mistakes..) We now use the superior i-boost solar immersion diverter system which ensures maximum energy efficiency.
Cost for this is €775 inc VAT.
Uses:
• Electricity generation for offsetting electricity use in any building or situation.
• Cost effective technology for achieving Part L renewables compliance on new build projects.
• Great synergy with heat pumps, PV production off sets the electricity used for heating.
• Small to medium sized Solar PV systems can produce electricity at a cost as low as €0.13 ex VAT per kWh over 20 years. This is cheaper than any standard utility price and will not increase due to inflation.
• CO2 savings.
• Solar PV systems are great at reducing CO2 emissions as the fuel source (the sun) is completely clean. Recommended for entities involved in ISO 50001 certification.
