Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity. As the sun is the most abundant renewable energy source, solar power is one of the most sustainable ways to power your home. Indeed, according to the SEAI, the sun delivers more energy to earth in an hour than is consumed globally in a year. Solar power is clean energy that doesn’t release any carbon into the atmosphere, and should lead to your energy bills tumbling. Also, since June 2022, Irish homeowners have been given the option to sell any excess solar energy they create to their electricity supplier. Solar panels don’t require direct sunlight (they can even work on cloudy days), but the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity generated. And while solar panels are usually installed on the roof, they can also be placed on a mount within your garden.

Domestic solar power is created using photovoltaic (PV) solar panels made from semi-conducting materials, usually silicon. When light shines on the silicon, a flow of electricity is created. Solar PV systems are typically made up of 5-15 panels. The electricity created is direct current (DC), so an inverter is installed alongside the system to convert it to the alternating current (AC) required by your household appliances. You can also generate solar power through BIPVs (building integrated photovoltaics). These are building materials such as roof tiles, glass or cladding that incorporate solar PV materials. There is also a second way of capturing solar energy called concentrated solar power (CSP) but, while this is popular with homeowners in sunnier parts of the world, it’s not well-suited to the Irish climate, where PV technology is much more effective.

Sunlight is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs should be significantly reduced. According to the SEAI, a well-located home PV system of around ten PV panels (3kW) should be expected to generate around 2,600kWh of electricity a year. That’s more than 60% of the 4,200kWh consumed by the average Irish home per annum. And based on current electricity prices (Electricity Ireland, August 2022) that could save you €1,000 a year – although electricity prices are of course exceptionally high at present, and savings will vary according to the type of system you install, your location and variable weather conditions.

As your solar PV system will be at its peak during daylight hours, it’s best to run major electrical appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers during the day – something that’s increasingly easy to do with timers and remote controls, even if you’re out of the house. But if you do generate any extra electricity, you now have the option of selling it on to your energy supplier – prices vary depending upon the amount of energy you generate and the rate the supplier is offering, so it’s worth shopping around. Also, the more you invest in other energy efficiency measures such as insulation, a boiler upgrade or a heat pump, the more you will benefit from your solar investment.

Apart from the long-term savings you will make, you’ll also be adding value to your home and playing a valuable part in the battle against climate change.

Yes. Generous grants for purchasing and installing your solar PV panels are available through the SEAI. You can claim €900 per kWp up to 2kWp, plus an additional €300 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp. The total grant available is capped at €2,400.

You'll find more information on our grant overview page.

PV diverters are a low-cost, low-maintenance option for increasing your own consumption of solar electricity, rather than selling excess energy to the grid. For instance, a PV diverter switch can power to the immersion heater in your tank, storing hot water for you to use later.

Including a battery with your solar setup will add to the overall cost, but will help you to maximise the use of your solar panels. The battery can be used to store energy gathered during the day, perhaps while you are out of the home. This energy can then be used at peak times to power your home 'for free' rather than using peak rate charged imposed by your energy provider.