You might think that due to the low amount of sun in Ireland, solar panels wouldn’t be worth it.
But you’d be surprised to know that solar panels can actually work really well in Ireland – as long as they’re installed correctly.
Let’s dive right in and see if they’re worth it.
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Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?
In Ireland, the average cost of installing solar panels is €5,000. The average household pays €1,500 per year for electricity, so it would take approximately 3.3 years to recoup the initial investment. Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 25 years, so over the long term, they could save you significant amounts of money.
In Ireland, the average south-facing roof receives about 1,700 kWh of sunlight per year. That’s enough to power a typical home for four months! Even in Ireland, where sunlight isn’t as plentiful as in other parts of the world, solar panels can still make good economic sense.
Just based on price and a few other factors alone you’d be making your money back. Let’s go into more detail about all of the reasons why solar panels might be worth the investment in Ireland.
1. Solar panels can save you a lot of money in the long term
Solar panels are a great way to save money in the long term. They can help you save money on your electricity bill, and they can also help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, and they can be used to power your home or business. In Ireland, the average cost of electricity is approximately €0.14 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
With solar panels, you can expect to generate approximately 1 kWh of electricity per day.
This means that over the course of a year, you could save €50 on your electricity bill. Solar panels have no emissions and generate no pollution, making them a very environmentally friendly option.
2. Solar panels are a good investment
In Ireland, the average household could save up to €1,200 a year by switching to solar power. Solar panels are also a great way to hedge against future energy price increases.
With the cost of electricity always on the rise, solar panels represent a smart investment for the future. Furthermore, solar panels also increase the value of your home.
In fact, for every 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed, your home’s value will increase by €2,000! And because solar panels last for 25 years or more, that’s a lot of extra money in your pocket.
So, not only will you be saving money in the present, but you’ll also be increasing your home’s value for the future.
3. Solar panels can be installed anywhere in Ireland
Solar panels are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. They can be installed on just about any type of roof, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
In addition, solar panels can also be mounted on the ground or on poles. Ireland is a great place for solar panels because it is located in the Northern Hemisphere, which means that the sun shines directly on the country for most of the year.
Ireland receives more than 1,600 hours of sunlight each year, making it one of the sunniest countries in Europe. As a result, installing solar panels in Ireland can help to reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your energy bills.
4. Tax incentives for solar panels in Ireland
In Ireland, the government offers a tax incentive for homeowners who install solar panels. The incentive is called the Photovoltaic (PV) Grant Scheme, and it provides a grant of up to €1,800 (about $2,000) per household.
The PV Grant Scheme is part of the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) program, which was established to encourage the development of renewable energy sources in Ireland. Solar panels are an eligible technology under the REFIT program, and the PV Grant Scheme helps to offset the cost of installing solar panels.
In addition to the PV Grant Scheme, the Irish government also offers a range of other incentives for renewable energy projects, including grants for wind turbines and microgeneration systems.
As a result of these incentives, Ireland is a leader in renewable energy, with over 14% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.
Grants
The Irish government offers four different types of grants for solar panels. The first type of grant is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which provides up to €1,500 for installing solar PV panels.
The second type of grant is the Renewable Heat Incentive, which provides up to €12,000 for installing solar thermal panels.
The third type of grant is the Better Energy Homes Scheme, which provides up to €4,750 for upgrading your home with energy efficiency measures, including solar PV panels.
The fourth type of grant is the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which provides up to €200 for certification of your installation.
If you want to apply for any of these grants, you must first get a quote from a registered installer. You can then submit your application online or by post. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible.
5. Solar panels are the future of energy
Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as a source of energy because they do not produce pollution and they are renewable (the sun will always produce sunlight).
Furthermore, solar panels can be used to generate electricity in remote locations where it is difficult to run power lines. As solar panel technology improves, solar panels will likely become the primary source of energy in the future.
Still wondering are solar panels worth it in Ireland? Hopefully these 5 reasons have convinced you of the answer.
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Ireland?
According to SolarGuide.ie, the average cost of solar panels in Ireland is €4,750. This includes the cost of materials, installation, and VAT. The average home in Ireland uses about 13,500 kWh of electricity per year, so a typical solar panel system would save about €1,000 per year on electricity bills.
ver the course of its lifetime, a solar panel system would save a total of €20,000 on energy costs. Solar panels have a payback period of about four years, so they are a good investment for homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for at least eight years.
Do solar panels produce decent outputs in Ireland?
In Ireland, the average solar panel will produce around 100 watts of power per square meter. This is not as high as some other countries, but it is still a decent output.
Solar panels work best when they are facing the sun, so they should be placed in a south-facing position.
Keep in mind that solar panels need to be kept clean and free of debris to work optimally. With these factors in mind, it is possible to get good output from solar panels in Ireland.
Can solar panels in Ireland work well in winter?
Winter can be a tough time for solar panels in Ireland. The weather is cloudy and rainy, and there are fewer hours of sunlight. But that doesn’t mean solar panels can’t work well in winter.
In fact, they can still produce a lot of energy – just not as much as in summer. With a little bit of help from the sun, solar panels can still provide a lot of power for your home in winter.
And if you have a battery to store the energy, you’ll be able to use it even when the sun isn’t shining.
Solar panels can easily integrate with other home appliances
Solar panels have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to generate renewable energy. One of the great things about solar panels is that they can easily integrate with other home appliances.
For example, many homes now have solar panels on their roofs that are connected to the home’s electrical system. This allows the solar panels to provide power for the home even when the sun isn’t shining.
Additionally, some solar panels are designed to heat water, providing a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way to heat your home’s water.
Do you need planning permission for solar panels in Ireland?
In Ireland, you generally do not need planning permission for solar panels, as they are considered to be “permitted development.” However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example, if your property is a listed building or is located in a conservation area, you will need to obtain planning permission before installing solar panels.
There are some size and location restrictions that may apply. Solar panels must be positioned so that they do not obscure any part of the roof, and they must be at least 50 centimeters away from the edges of the roof.
If you are unsure whether or not you need planning permission for your proposed installation, it is always best to check with your local planning authority.
Installation of solar panels in Ireland
In recent years, the Irish government has been investing heavily in solar energy, with the goal of generating 40% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. So far, progress has been steady, with over 1,000 MW of solar capacity installed as of 2019.
The majority of this capacity comes from large-scale commercial and utility projects, but there is also a growing number of smaller-scale residential installations. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular in Ireland as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills.
With continued government support and falling costs, solar will likely play an even bigger role in Ireland’s energy mix in the years to come.
How to Install solar panels in my home
The first thing you need to do is find out if your home is suitable for solar panels. Solar panels need to be installed in an area that gets direct sunlight for most of the day.
If your home doesn’t get a lot of sun or if trees are blocking the sun’s rays, solar panels may not be right for you.
Once you’ve determined that your home is suitable for solar panels, you’ll need to decide how many panels you want to install. The number of panels you need will depend on the size of your home and your energy usage. You can talk to a solar panel specialist to help you determine the best size for your home.
Solar panels can be purchased from a variety of retailers, both online and in-store. Before making a purchase, it’s important to do some research to find the best deal. You should also compare the warranty and customer support offered by different retailers.
Once you’ve purchased your solar panels, the next step is to have them installed. Many people opt to hire a professional installer, but it is possible to install solar panels yourself if you’re handy with tools.
If you do choose to install the panels yourself, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take all safety precautions.
Solar panels can be a great way to save money on your energy bills and help the environment. However, they’re not right for everyone. Be sure to do your research before making a decision.
How long does it take solar panels to pay for themselves in Ireland?
With all of these factors mentioned above, it takes an average of 7-10 years for solar panels to pay for themselves in Ireland. So if you’re thinking about making the switch to solar power, there’s no time like the present.
Final Thoughts
So are solar panels worth it in Ireland? We think so! Not only will they help you save money on your energy bills, but they’ll also help reduce your carbon footprint.
And with the government’s continued support, there’s no doubt that solar energy will play an even bigger role in Ireland’s energy mix in the years to come.
