We are seeing a new dawn for home electricity as the world moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. One of the key trends in this shift is the increasing adoption of renewable energy. Sustainable sources include wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass. These energy sources are considered sustainable because they do not rely on the depletion of finite resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. By contrast, sustainable electricity sources are renewable, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and have a lower impact on the environment. To promote sustainable electricity, governments worldwide are investing in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, such as wind turbines, solar panels, and hydropower plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change, and promoting economic growth and development.
Solar power for the home has become much more affordable and accessible in recent years, thanks to technological advances and government incentives. Homeowners can now install rooftop solar panels and generate their own electricity, reducing their reliance on grid power and potentially selling excess energy back to the national grid.
In addition to renewable energy, there are innovations in energy storage such as batteries which can help homeowners store excess energy generated by their solar panels and use it during peak demand times or when the sun is not shining. This allows for a more flexible and reliable energy system and greater energy independence for homeowners.
Overall, the shift towards cleaner and more sustainable home electricity is a positive development for both individuals and the planet. It can reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and create new opportunities for innovation in the energy sector.
Reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint by going solar
Generating your own electricity from sunlight using solar panels is one of the most effective measures homeowners can take to reduce their carbon footprint and slash energy bills. Unlike traditional energy sources obtained from non-renewable resources such as oil wells, coal mines and gas reserves, solar power is generated by capturing energy from the sun, which is then used to provide electricity to power your home´s heat, lighting and domestic appliances.
While it is estimated that approximately 24,000 private houses in Ireland currently have solar panels installed, a UCC study commissioned by the Irish Solar Energy Association last year found that one million homes in Ireland have the roof space and orientation suitable for the installation of ten solar panels.
The study, which examined every rooftop in Ireland using satellite imagery and weather data for the first time, said that the total energy produced would equate to 21% of the power system’s current capacity. In total, that is sufficient to power one in four of all Irish homes and save 135,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. It would also account for around 8% of Ireland’s renewable energy target and save each household at least €450 in electricity costs per annum.
Despite Ireland’s notoriously inclement weather, recent advances in solar technology and the falling price of solar installations now make it a rewarding option for domestic electricity generation in Ireland. Although solar photovoltaic (PV) panels require sunshine to work at optimum capacity, the crucial factor for your home, and a southerly aspect on a roof of 30° is considered ideal.
Solar PV systems are sized in technical units called kilowatts (kW) and a simple 2.4kW system would feature about six to eight panels. Most modest systems of this size do not require planning permission, although homeowners should check with their local authority as rules differ from location to location.
Solar PV panels work by absorbing daylight and converting it into electricity or heat and daylight levels in Ireland are surprisingly equivalent to Germany, one of the biggest solar producers in the world. So, while the longer days in summer will give you the best performance, winter days can still provide good output while the sun shines.
There are two main types of solar panels: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels. Solar photovoltaic modules, which generate electricity when exposed to light, have become one of the fastest growing power generation technologies worldwide and are increasingly being used in helping to power homes and businesses at significantly reduced costs, while also helping to curb carbon emissions.
Solar thermal panels are designed to heat water only, and homeowners seeking to generate their own electricity as well as heat their water will need to opt for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Installing solar PV panels is a relatively straightforward construction project, and modern installation technology usually enables the vast majority of home installations to be completed in a single day. Solar PV panels are generally roof mounted using a specially designed mounting kit, and while it is possible to install solar PV panels on the ground, this is relatively rare for home installs. Instead, your installer will most likely position the panels in the spot that will generate the most electricity 75% of the electricity generated will be between the months of May and September and the overall volume of electricity produced will depend on the available surface area on the roof as well as the geographic location of the property and the direction in which the panels are installed. The typical PV panels installed in Ireland produce 1kWP for every 6m2 of generating surface area, which translates into one unit of electricity per hour, sufficient for about six hours of TV or one washing machine cycle.
In October 2022, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien introduced changes to the rules relating to the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of houses and there is now no limit to the area of solar panels which can be installed on a domestic rooftop. Solar installations can cover the entire roof of a house and the 12m2/50% roof limit that previously applied to houses has been removed. The changes aim to increase Ireland’s generation of solar energy and combat climate change.
According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, a home solar PV system sized at 20m2 (3kW system) will generate around 2,600kWh of electricity a year if suitably located – this represents over 40% of the typical annual electricity demand of an Irish home. A typical home with six to eight solar panels on the roof could save about €400 per year in electricity bills, with the system paying for itself in seven to ten years.
Some homeowners will also install a battery system to store any surplus electricity generated during the day by the solar panels. During a typical summer day when panels are generating the most electricity, the house is normally empty. However, with a battery storage unit, the energy generated during the optimal daylight hours can be stored and used during the evening and night-time hours. Households with a hot water or immersion tank can also set up the solar system to divert surplus electricity to heat water. Essentially, this acts like a battery and stores the electricity as hot water, which can be used to offset the use of the immersion heater for hot showers, for example. The battery storage unit needs to be installed inside your home by a registered technician who will decide the best place to install the unit.
Despite the compelling financial and environmental benefits, solar power still represents a significant upfront investment. While the fuel derived from the sunlight is free, it will typically cost about €4,000 for a simple system with six to eight panels [2.4kW system]. However, costs vary from supplier to supplier, and it is important to shop around for several quotes and to use a reputable certified installer. In addition, availing of the SEAI grant, which offers €900 for every kWp (kilowatt peak) – up to a maximum of 2kWp with an additional €300 per kWp for systems up to 4kWp this will bring the cost down to about €3,000. The grant is a one-off payment sent directly to the customers bank account via SEAI. Only installers listed on the SEAI’s Renewable Installers Register for solar PV can certify the installation.
The electricity produced by a domestic solar installation will significantly help to power your house over the next twenty to thirty years as well as heat your water and charge your future electric car. Since the introduction of the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) last July, households who produce more energy than they require can now opt to sell it back to their electricity suppliers at a fee varying from 13.5 to 20 cent per kilowatt hour.
The government is trying to increase the proportion of electricity that comes from renewable sources such as wind and solar to up to 80% by 2030 and aims to have 250,000 new rooftop solar systems installed by 2030. It is hoped that the latest payment incentive, combined with SEAI grants of up to €2,400 for solar panels will persuade more homeowners to make the necessary investment. It is expected that rapidly rising energy costs will provide a further incentive for homeowners to make the transition to solar energy.
Ramping up the deployment of residential solar PV in Ireland will help to address key energy and climate issues, including affordability and at a national level, it will make a considerable contribution in terms of increasing security of supply and reducing carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel as a source of power generation.
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