Perhaps the most pertinent and indeed valid question on your mind - are solar panels worth the investment?
There is a genuine, visible ‘solar panel community’ in Ireland, and it’s only getting larger.
A report issued in October 2024 revealed that almost 400 solar farms are currently in development across the country. If successfully installed, they would double the amount of solar electricity targeted for generation by 2030.
Furthermore, it is estimated that the solar industry could be worth as much as an annual €2.7 billion to the Irish economy by the close of the 2020s.
The Irish Solar Energy Association (SEAI), meanwhile, has identified an incredible 335% increase in solar energy in Ireland in recent years - homeowners and businesses of all sizes are embracing either a move to solar, ora significant upgrade there of.
And with numerous government grants and incentives available to help you facilitate that move and reduce your costs, there’s never been a better time to switch on.
You may well think that ‘Ireland’ and ‘solar power’ don’t fit as naturally together as you’d like them to, given frequent inconsistency in our weather patterns and the difficulty in guaranteeing prolonged periods of sunshine, even in the summer months.
According to Met Éireann, Ireland’s annual sunshine totals for 2024 ranged from 1,163 hours to 1,377 hours, while the highest number of daily sunshine hours clocked in at 15.9 hours. For context, a ‘dull day’ is classified as a day with less than 0.5 hours of sunshine.
All this data can bring about some pretty common misconceptions when it comes to how solar panels function.
Yes ,we’re talking about a purpose-built panel designed to absorb the rays of the sun, subsequently transforming into energy for generating electricity and/or heating. And yes, you are going to see the best results in spring and summer months.
But, a solar photovoltaic (or PV) system generates its energy from photons and radiation levels, meaning it functions in diffused light and on overcast and even rainy days. Meanwhile, our ATLAS Duo N-Type solar PV panel 445w is sourced specifically to meet challenging and ever-changing Irish weather conditions, and our partnership with Duracell ensures an incredibly efficient charging and surplus storage experience.
So, while you may have to brace yourself when leaving the house, you can rest assured that our solar PV set-up will keep things moving.
The general estimate for solar panel installation in an average Irish home is around €10,000, though several determining factors are in play.
Not everyone’s solar energy journey is the same - you are your own individual with your own specific circumstances and needs, after all. Also, if you successfully apply for a solar-focused grant, that will help drive your overall costs down.
Consider the following elements:
We strongly recommended availing of a professional assessment before making any major decisions. With that in mind, you may contact an expert member of our team on 042 969 0352, or info@activ8energies.com.
You will also need to factor in costs for additional materials such as inverters, batteries (should you require more storage in this regard), any necessary electric upgrades, and installation fees. Grants may be available in some cases to lighten the financial load.
The aforementioned costs are plain to see - getting set up with a solar panel system may not be cheap, but the long-term financial benefits are huge and really do pay off.
The great thing about the increasing trend in people adapting to solar energy is that it has resulted in many positive real-world case studies and testimonials that you can see for yourself before making your own long-term commitment.
“A well-detailed solar-PV system is a fantastic addition, and I only wish every family in Ireland could enjoy one.” - Irish Examiner
“Money and fun were the unexpected benefits of installing solar panels.” - Guardian
“A year of solar panels, and my electricity bill has been halved.” - TheEcho
Looking at that last one alone, the writer notes that the bill in question dropped from roughly €1,300 per year to about €420, “thanks to the panels, battery, export payments, government credits, and habit changes”.
It’s also worth noting that a move to solar energy has become a more attractive option not just for you, but for the banks. As the Irish Independent points out, AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB all offer low-cost loans under the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, which enables homeowners to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000.
Overall, a move to solar energy is going to significantly reduce your existing energy expenses, while also adding major value to your property.
We estimate that a move to our solar power panels will lock in electricity prices for over 25 years, and you can expect to save up to 50% on your bills.
On average, solar panels last between 20 and 30 years. Our certified panel comes with 25 years of performance warranty and a 25-year product warranty.
Under the Microgeneration Support Scheme offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), homeowners may receive a payment for any residual electricity they export back to Ireland’s energy grid.
In summer 2024, ESB Networks estimated that 100,000 microgeneration customers in Ireland were connected to the national electricity grid.
The following rates per provider in terms of how microgeneration payment is calculated is accurate as of December 2024:
Alternatively, banking that additional energy with a dedicated solar power battery storage system will enable you to sidestep unnecessary high electricity prices later on.
As outlined above when calculating the costs associated with a solar panel installation, your overall return on investment is going to be influenced by many different factors.
These include:
At Activ8 Solar Energies, we pride ourselves on our customer experience, so who better to illustrate the real-world benefits and positive return on investment that solar panels can bring than the people we’ve helped set up over the past two decades?
And if you’d like to look closer yourself, we encourage you to browse our visual collection of nationwide residential case studies here.
The bottom line - is it worth getting solar panels?
As we’ve mentioned once or twice, committing to solar power is likely going to depend on a number of factors, including your own unique needs and circumstances.
The case for ‘yes’ is highly compelling. Renewable and clean energy boosts both your own lifestyle and that of the overall ecosystem at large. You’ll also help lower the country’s reliance on imported oil and gas.
As for your own pocket (probably the most important element here, let’s be honest), you’ll see a major reduction in your energy bills, while introducing the possibility to profit by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Your property becomes more attractive with solar panels attached, too, if you’re looking to move on some day.
We won’t lie, there are some downsides to consider, but they’re largely up-front costs that will pay off in the long run, and it bears repeating that even though Ireland isn’t exactly Miami Beach when it comes to constant sunshine, solar panels still function strongly in diffused light, and solar battery storage can provide additional stability.
Generally speaking, if you’re still on the fence when it comes to switching to solar energy, it’s probably a good idea to weigh up the ever-reliable ‘pros and cons’:
Here’s the thing - yes, we want you to embrace solar energy for the good of the environment and the world at large, but we also want you to experience the financial benefits of doing so.
That’s why the team at Activ8 Solar Energies is so committed to your return on investment, from calculating it at the outset to making it a reality to enjoy for years to come.
We’ve guided homeowners across Ireland through this journey since 2007, and we’re ready and waiting for you to take the next step with us. For a free consultation with one of our dedicated experts - get in touch with us today.
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