Installing solar panels is a significant financial commitment, but in terms of return on investment (ROI), it is one of the most worthwhile outlays a homeowner can make. However, many consumers are overwhelmed by the information available and unsure where to start. Irish Country Living spoke with Neil Jordan, head of operations at Treacy Solar, and James Murphy, founder of Billgenie.ie, for their advice on choosing, using and getting the most from solar panels.
Neil says the first step for homeowners is to take account of their usage.
“We ask the homeowner for their Eircode and their annual usage. Then we determine if they have an electric car and how they heat the house, and then we will use that information.”
Using the Eircode along with specialist planning software, the homeowner’s roof’s orientation is examined and combined with their usage information, an informed plan is developed.
One of the first questions consumers ask is whether their roof is suitable for solar panels. According to Neil, dormer roofs, Velux windows and chimneys can impact the number of panels installed. Ground-mounted panels are a good alternative, and while they are more expensive, they allow panels to face directly south, maximising generation.
Getting the right panels
Treacy Solar only installs PV panels, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC). An inverter then converts this into alternating current (AC) to power everything from lighting and appliances to heating, hot water and electric vehicle charging.
There are other types of panels, such as solar thermal panels, which heat water only, and hybrid panels, which combine electricity generation with water heating, but PV panels are arguably the most versatile, as the electricity they generate can be used to power almost anything in the home. For a standard three-bedroom residence occupied by a family of four, eight is often cited as the magic number of panels needed, but the reality is more nuanced.
“Looking at your usage up until now is fair enough, but it’s a 25–30-year investment, and you need to try and plan for the future as well,” he says.
“You might not have an electric car today, but that is the way things are moving.
“Heat pumps are being retrofitted and lots of new houses don’t come with a chimney anymore. It’s all heavily electrical dependent.”
While it is possible to add more panels at a later stage, he recommends adding as many as your budget and roof will allow from the outset, as retrofitting can be expensive.
“If you’ve got space to put up 24 panels on the house and you think that 15 will cover your usage now, put up the 24. The cheapest time to put them up is the day that the installers are there because you’ve got a full roof and crew on-site.”
Beyond the panels
A battery is a worthwhile add-on, says Neil. “By having the battery, you can capitalise on our long summer days and then you have that in the bank, either in credits in your account or by using your self-generated electricity. You’re not grid dependent.”
Another commonly discussed add-on is an Eddi, which diverts excess solar energy to an immersion heater to heat the home’s hot water. However, for domestic use, given the versatility of modern PV panels, Neil says it makes more economic sense to use an immersion that is pre-set to switch on when you know the panels are generating.
Changeover switches are worth considering if budget allows. According to ESB Networks, they can provide standby generation with solar and battery systems, once the system is designed, installed and tested by a registered electrical contractor. The switch must disconnect the home from the ESB Networks supply to safely isolate it from the grid during a power cut.
Solar systems for farm use
Neil says that if a farm is a limited company, it may be eligible for a non-domestic grant for solar installation on farm infrastructure.
“They don’t have to jump through all the hoops of the TAMS grant, and they can get a very, decent system in there and wipe out the bills. Again, batteries would be key because the time you’re milking cows usually doesn’t align with the time that you’re generating electricity.”
Costs
An SEAI grant of €1,800 is available for solar panel installations.
According to Energia, a 10-panel solar installation on an average three-bedroom Irish home costs €6,000-€9,000 after the grant, excluding any add-ons. More advanced systems can cost upward of €18,000. Consumers should get several quotes to ensure they find the right system at the best price.
Boosting solar panel benefits
According to James Murphy, founder of Billgenie.ie, a free, independent utility consultation service, it doesn’t stop with installation.
“Solar panels are one of the most expensive things people will add to their house,” he says.
James believes the biggest mistake consumers make is installing panels and expecting them to automatically reduce energy spend. However, getting the best efficiency requires a review of energy use and tariff.
“The main thing is finding the tariff that best suits your normal usage and then getting the most out of your usage by changing settings to suit the tariff. That’s how you’re going to save the most, really.”
While this might seem complex, it comes down to reviewing household consumption patterns over several weeks, selecting a suitable tariff and adjusting usage so appliances run when electricity is cheapest or solar generation is highest. For users with batteries, excess daytime solar should be stored and used alongside a night-time tariff to power the home. This is known as load shifting.
Ultimately, getting the most from solar is about more than putting panels on the roof. Choosing the right system, planning for future energy needs and selecting the right tariff can significantly affect savings over the lifetime of the investment.
See treacysolar.com and billgenie.ie