FAQs

What are solar panels?

The term ‘solar panel’ can refer to a wide range of solar technologies. It is often used interchangeably between the panels that generate electricity and those that generate heat. Solar panels which produce electricity are referred to in the industry as ‘solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.’ These are panels made from materials which generate DC electricity when exposed to light. When considering purchasing solar panels it is important to consider whether you would like a system which generates electricity (solar PV panels) or a system which heats water (solar thermal panels). The questions in this document are all in relation to the electricity generating panels.

What different types of Solar PV panel exist?

There are a variety of different solar PV technologies and products. The performance and cost of different products varies greatly. The most common solar PV technologies are:
• Mono-crystalline silicon panels: typically the most efficient commercial solar panels at
converting light into electricity
• Multi-crystalline silicon panels: typically slightly less efficient than mono-crystalline panels
but often less expensive
• Thin film panels: this encompasses a range of technologies (including those made from cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and amorphous silicon (aSi)). These technologies are not as widely deployed but are often favoured because of their appealing appearance.

Silicon-based solar panels are by far the most commonly deployed, accounting for over 90% of the global market. When considering installing solar PV panels on your roof you will typically be limited to the products which individual installers offer. Be sure to ask to see the technical specification for the solar panels they are offering.

How much electricity will solar panels generate?

The amount of electricity generated annually will depend on a range of factors including the hardware chosen, size of system, the geographical location and the direction in which the panels are installed. With the most common silicon solar panels typically 1 sq. m of panels will generate ~150W of power on a clear sunny day (that’s enough to power a laptop computer). A home solar PV system sized at 20 sq. m (~3kW) would generate around 2,600kWh of electricity a year if well-located, over 40% of the typical annual electricity demand of an Irish home.

Do solar panels work in Ireland?

Yes, solar PV systems will still generate electricity when there is daylight, so they will still function on overcast days in Ireland. In these conditions they will not be able to produce power at their maximum rated capacity (the figure in kilowatts (kW)), rather at some fraction of this figure. Solar panels will perform at their best in direct sunlight and therefore solar PV systems in Ireland will typically produce less than other, sunnier countries such as Spain. As mentioned above, a home solar PV system sized at 20 sq. m (~3kW) would generate around 2,600kWh of electricity a year if well located, over 40% of the typical annual electricity demand of an Irish home.

How much do solar panels cost?

The cost of purchasing and installing solar panels has come down considerably over the last 10 years. The cost of a solar PV system depends on a range of factors including the hardware chosen, size of system, accessibility of the roof or site, and the installer used. Broadly speaking home PV systems should range from around €1,500 - €2,000 per kW installed (ex-VAT), but prices will vary depending on the factors mentioned above.

Where are solar panels manufactured?

Most solar panels are manufactured in Asia (primarily in China and Taiwan) but there are also some European and North American manufacturers. The components for solar panels and other hardware used in the installation come from all around the world. It is less important where your equipment is manufactured and far more important that the equipment meets regulatory requirements, has an established QC process, and comes from a well established manufacturer. As some equipment in your system is likely to last up to 30 years, it is important that the manufacturer is likely to remain in business for that time frame. Bloomberg publishes an annual Tier 1 report. Tier 1 manufacturers are the leading producers of solar equipment by volume. Any company in the top 10 is likely to remain in business far into the future. Established brands like Huawei and Trina are market leaders and therefore provide

Are solar panels right for my home?

There are a variety of considerations when determining whether or not solar panels are right for your home. Some thought must go into how much of the generated electricity you will use as this will affect how economic it is as a solution for your home. Solar PV systems generate electricity only during daylight hours, predominantly around the middle of the day when you may be at work. Also, around 75% of the annual energy from a solar PV system is produced from May-September. You need to consider how much of the generated electricity you will use in your home, based on the pattern of generation from the solar PV system, and the pattern of energy usage and occupancy for your house to determine the right system for your home. Excess generation from your system can now be exported, and you can receive an export tariff. You also need to consider if your roof is suitable for solar PV considering the age and condition, the orientation of your house, and any potential shading from nearby trees or buildings. The best rooftops for maximising electricity generation are those that are south-facing, in good condition and with minimal shading from trees or adjacent structures, however east/west facing are also acceptable. North facing is not practical for solar PV. Finally, it is worth considering other options to improve the energy performance of your home, such as insulation, draught-proofing, improved windows, boiler controls, or some other renewable generating technology.

Who can install solar panels on my property?

Finding a competent installer is important. There are currently no formal qualifications mandated which installers must hold, but connection of the solar system must be carried out by a Registered Electrical Contractor. A good place to start is the Renewable Installers Register which identifies installers like Cue Power, that have received accredited training. Our team is comprised of qualified and certified electricians and renewable engineers, with decades of experience behind them.

What will be installed in my home if I purchase a rooftop solar PV system?

The main components are the solar panels which will be located on the roof area, and the inverter which will be located outside or within your house or attic. The solar panels convert the light into DC electricity, and the inverter converts this DC electricity into AC electricity for use in your home. The solar system will be connected to your main electricity panel (‘fuseboard’). Other optional components are an immersion diverter switch, battery, or energy meter.

How will solar panels be fixed to my roof?

There are a number of well-proven solutions to connect the solar panels to your roof. Most solutions fix the solar panels above the existing roof tiles on aluminium rails, but some solutions allow for an integrated, ‘flush’, connection where the roof tiles are removed and replaced with the solar panels. The most important consideration for homeowners is that the water tightness of your roof is not affected by the installation. Installers should not be permitted to drill into roof tiles to connect the PV panels, as this could lead to future leaks in your roof.

How can I maximise the amount of electricity generated that I use?

The simplest way to use a higher percentage of the electricity generated is to design the PV system to meet the electricity demand of the house, although this may mean a very small PV system is installed if demand is low during the daytime. Another simple measure is to install a ‘diverter switch’ which diverts any unused electricity to heat your hot water in your immersion tank. In this way some of the energy generated is stored as hot water, which you can use later. Finally, a more complicated option is to install a PV system which does not face south, but faces west or east. This will provide more energy in the morning or the evening when you have a greater demand to use it. However, an east- or west-facing PV system will generate less energy over the year than a south-facing system.

What about a battery storage system?

This is a more complex way of storing any potential exported electric energy. Adding a battery to your solar PV system means the battery will charge when the PV system is generating electricity which isn’t being used, and then discharge when you need it next (normally that evening/night). A battery can increase the percentage of solar PV electricity you use in your house. However, adding a battery to the system will increase the cost of the PV system and some energy is lost in the battery during the charge and discharge cycle.

What supports are available for solar PV homes?

Domestic Solar PV Grant: SEAI currently offers homeowners a grant towards the cost of installation of a domestic solar PV system. Currently a maximum of €2,400 is available for home owners to install solar PV. Other incentives include;
• Home Renovation Incentive: Some home solar PV systems will be eligible for an income tax credit under the Home Renovation Incentive. Homeowners can avail of a 13.5% tax credit on qualifying expenditure over €4,405 (before VAT) per property.
• Deep Retrofit Pilot: SEAI’s Deep Retrofit Pilot can provide grant funding of up to 50% for solar PV systems provided they are installed as part of a package of energy improvement measures. This programme requires homeowners to commit a considerable investment towards energy efficiency measures in their home but offers a high degree of financial support towards the cost.
• Better Energy Communities: SEAI’s Better Energy Communities programme can provide grant support to community projects for the installation of domestic solar PV systems provided they are done so as part of a package of other energy improvement measures including energy efficiency.
• Building Regulations: Part L of the domestic building regulations requires a minimum share of the energy consumption of new homes to be provided by renewable sources. Solar PV and thermal systems can meet this obligation and thus their uptake is driven in part by these building regulations. Installation of these systems also improves the overall Building Energy Rating (BER) of the property.

Is there a "feed-in tariff" payment for excess solar electricity fed into the grid by owners of solar PV systems?

There is currently no obligation for energy suppliers to pay their customers for the electricity they generate with their solar panels (sometimes known as a ‘Feed-in-tariff’). It is up to energy suppliers to decide whether they wish to offer such a scheme to customers. Many energy suppliers are offering very competitive feed-in tariffs, and we suggest you shop around for the best deal.

Does my rooftop PV system require maintenance?

PV systems are low-maintenance, but not zero maintenance. The most important aspect is to monitor the performance of your system regularly. This could simply be a routine check of your inverter to see that the system is operational (e.g. no red blinking lights) and that the energy meter is increasing each day. You should get an idea from your installer about how much the PV system should generate each year, and see that your system is generating close to that amount. Some suppliers will provide you with access to this information via your smartphone. The most common point of failure is the inverter, which may need to be replaced at some point in the PV system’s lifetime. The solar panels themselves are extremely robust, but consideration should be given to cleaning them every few years to maintain their performance. If you live near the sea or a main road more regular cleaning may be necessary.

Do I need planning permission to install solar PV on my roof?

There are new planning permission exemptions for rooftop solar panels on homes or other buildings. Houses, regardless of location, may now install unlimited solar panels on their rooftop without any requirement for planning permission (subject to certain conditions). Exemptions also apply to rooftops of industrial buildings, business premises, community and educational buildings, places of worship, health buildings, libraries, certain public utility sites and farms.Certain restrictions continue to apply in relation to developments near aviation sites, protected structures and architectural conservation areas.

Do I need constant sunshine for my solar panels to work?

No, Solar Panels work in all daylight conditions and actually work at their optimum at 10ºC. In fact, if it gets too hot they start to become increasingly inefficient.

What guarantees will my solar panels come with?

Your Solar Panels will come with a manufacturers guarantee of the panels performance. Different manufacturers offer different guarantees, with the more premium levels of protection usually associated with the more expensive panels. It’s wise to make sure you understand the guarantee before you purchase.

How long does it take to install solar panels?

Most domestic Solar Panel installations take a day or two with minimum disruption. Typically, the scaffolding will be erected on the morning the Solar PV installation team arrive. We will then mount the panels on the roof and install the inverter and battery, if included, finally carrying out the internal wiring. All this is easily achieved in a day during summer months, however due to less daylight hours in winter, we occasionally need a second day to finish.

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