Many of us will ask “how much do solar panels cost” and wonder if they are a good investment in a country with a climate like Ireland? Solar panels have become more accessible to a larger number of Irish households in recent years and the advantages that the technology offers are now more accessible than ever before. There are roughly 30,000 homes in Ireland with solar panels.
Solar panel costs has decreased significantly and initiatives by the government, such as grants and discounts, have made the proposition of investing in a solar power system much more attractive. However, many people still wonder if solar powers are worth it in Ireland.
Here, we will be taking a closer look at the actual cost of solar panels, as well as the other financial benefits that installing a solar power system offers.
What Does a Solar Power System Consist Of?
When discussing the cost of solar panels, it is important to note that the solar panels themselves are only one part of a broader group of products that make up a PV system. To understand the cost of installing a household or commercial PV system, the cost of all the components must be taken into account.
In general, a solar power system consists of solar panels, an inverter, and, in some cases, a battery bank. Each of these components work together as a single system to convert sunlight into electricity. One of the simplest ways in which the cost of a solar power system can be expressed is in € per KWp ( kilowatts peak ). The KWp value denotes the maximum or peak amount of energy that a solar system can generate.
Since the energy that a solar power system generates is free there is no recurring cost, and the only cost is the initial capital outlay to install the system. This cost can be determined by multiplying the KWp figure with the cost per KWp.
Its More Of An Investment
While the initial costs associated with installing a solar power system might seem high, it is important to remember that you are making an investment in your property and effectively future-proofing your energy needs. Installing a solar power system should be seen as a long-term investment and not a pure cost, especially when asking how much solar panels cost. The savings that you will make on your energy bill will, in time, offset the cost of installing a PV system. This term is generally around 7 years.
In addition to this, PV systems are also an investment in the protection of our environment because they reduce our collective dependency on fossil fuels and pollution significantly. Both the financial and environmental advantages of installing a PV system can be seen immediately, which makes solar energy an excellent investment with a high ROI.
How Much do Solar Panels Cost for a House?
The exact cost of installing solar power in your home is influenced by many factors and can only be determined accurately after a site visit and needs assessment. Some of the factors that determine the cost include:
- How much electrical energy you need daily, expressed in kilowatts.
- The peak power output level that you require. For example, powering devices such as boilers, kettles, and space heaters require a higher peak power rating than powering devices such as lights and computers.
- Blackout protection: systems that can keep the lights on during a blackout cost more than systems that do not offer this capability.
- Energy storage: systems that can store electricity in a battery bank are more costly than systems that cannot do this. However, having a battery bank allows you to replace a larger part of your energy needs with solar power because you can use stored electrical energy at night. In addition, the power generated by your PV system can be used to power EV chargers which reduces the operating costs and carbon footprint of electric vehicles.
As can be seen from the below examples, the cost of installing solar panels can differ from household to household. Generally spoken, a PV system for an average 3-bed house should cost in the region of €10,000. You can further reduce the cost of installing a PV system by making use of the SEAI ( Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland ) grant, which is available for many renewable energy projects.
The below image shows the average prices for various system sizes:
How do Solar Panels Save Money?
As mentioned earlier, PV systems can be a great investment and can help you to save money in in a variety of ways. The first and most important saving is the direct savings on your monthly electric bill. Each KW of energy that is generated by your solar power system represents one less KW of energy that you need to buy off the electrical grid. Depending on the size of your solar panel system, this can relate to significant monthly savings. On average, Irish households can replace up to 70% of their energy needs with energy generated from renewable sources when installing a PV system.
Another possible way in which money can be saved is by selling extra energy to the grid. This option is especially viable for households that do not use much electrical energy. In some situations, solar panel systems can generate more electricity than required and this extra energy can then be pumped back into the electrical grid. The user is then paid for this electricity which results in another direct saving. Solar panels can also be used for heating and generating hot water. Hot water and heating can account for much of a household’s energy bills so replacing some or all of the costs related to this with renewable solar energy results in further savings on monthly energy bills.
Are Solar Panels Worth the Cost in Ireland?
Yes, most definitely. Many of us are inclined to think that the Irish weather is not particularly suitable for generating solar power. We often get asked do solar panels work when its cloudy?However, this is not the case. The advances in solar panel technology have increased the effectiveness of solar panels immensely. Modern commercial PV systems can generate electricity from both daylight and direct sunlight. Although Ireland experiences many rainy and overcast days, there is more than enough sunlight and UV rays to generate decent amounts of renewable solar energy.
The reduced costs of modern solar panels have made it even more feasible to install solar power in Ireland and the steady increase in energy costs will keep further improve the affordability of solar panels in the future. The versatility of solar panels means that they can be used to power EV chargers which can help people to save money on their daily transportation needs and reduce the environmental impact of cars. In addition to this, PV systems can be combined with other systems like infrared heaters which makes them well worth the expense.
Conclusion
When asking ‘how much do solar panels cost’, it can be difficult to answer the question with one figure. The exact cost of a PV system installation is dependent on many variable factors, but it is clear that solar power is the way forward in Ireland and the rest of the world. The advantages that PV systems offer are numerous and they easily outweigh the cost of installing a modern commercial PV system.
Are you ready to make a smart investment in Solar Panels today? Contact Wizer Energy today for an obligation-free consultation, the environment, and your wallet will thank you for it.
Wizer Energy offers solar panel services nationwide, including Cork, Waterford, Dublin, and Limerick, as well as EV charger installation and FAR Infrared heating installation services.
