Do solar panels work in Ireland?
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
What should a domestic solar system generate per day?
Do solar panels pay for themselves?
What are solar PV panels and how do they work?
Solar PV and Battery Storage webinar
Learn more about your solar PV options
Are solar panels worth it?

Average electricity price to business in Ireland. Source: SEAI
Do solar panels work in Ireland?
Yes, Solar PV is a proven technology in Ireland.
As long as there’s daylight Solar PV continues to generate electricity. Peak generation occurs in summer months and lowest generation in the winter months. Systems should always be sized with care to optimise for self-consumption. The aim is to generate as much electricity as possible without large amounts spilling to the grid at times of peak generation or low consumption. Battery storage and/or a water diverter often assists in this endeavour. A system tailored for the Irish climate provides attractive payback periods and makes good financial sense.

Where there’s sunlight, there’s power generation
Which solar panel is best?

Pat Smith, MD of Local Power ( right), and Pearse McHenry (left), MD of BHC Distribution, meet with Solarwatt owner Stefan Quandt (centre) of the BMW family.
Do I need planning permission for solar panels?
- take up less than 12-square metres on a domestic install
- take up less than 50 square metres of a commercial premises.
What size solar panel system?
- electricity consumption
- available roof space
- your budget.

Examples of systems we’ve designed and installed to suit the needs of our clients
What should a domestic solar system generate?
A domestic Solar PV system sized at about 3kW will generate around 2,600kWh of electricity a year if well-designed, which equates to over 40% of the annual electricity consumption of a typical Irish home. There are a number of factors which can affect this output including hardware chosen, design and location. Our team sizes the solar system to best suit your needs and the potential offered by your home to make it the most cost-effective solution for you.
Do solar panels pay for themselves?
Yes. You can expect a payback time of approximately eight to ten years with an average system. This can vary depending on the system installed and electricity costs, but with our thirty year product and performance warranty, you can rest assured that your panels will continue to earn for you long past their payback date, even after 30 years our glass-glass panels will be operating at 87% efficiency due to an extremely low degradation rate of 0.345% per annum.
What are solar PV panels and how do they work?
Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate DC electricity straight from the sun. Solar cells are linked up together within the panel and these cells are made from materials known as semi-conductors, usually silicon wafer, that generate electricity when exposed to light. The panels on the roof are linked together in a group known as an array. The electricity generated by the panels passes through an inverter which converts it from DC current into usable AC current to power your house, store in batteries or be diverted to heat water in your immersion, which is essentially an alternative way to a battery to store surplus energy generated.
Solar PV and Battery Storage Webinar
If you’re considering Solar PV and Battery Storage or just looking to learn more about them, this webinar- featuring our managing director Pat- gives an excellent overview of these technologies for farms and businesses in Ireland.