With the cost of electricity and heating our homes on the rise, many of us are thinking about switching to solar power. Not only is it a renewable energy source, there are also significant savings over time.
We spoke to Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association, about the commonly asked questions and the benefits of solar.There are many factors that go into determining the cost, such as the size of the system, your individual roof, and the energy needs of your home. It is advisable to shop around and get some quotes – you can find a range of installers at www.irishsolarenergy.org. But if you take a standard 10-panel system, the cost is likely to be between €7,000 and €9,000.
Basic requirements to qualify for solar grants include that your home must be built before 2011 and must achieve a minimum C3 Building Energy Rating when installed.Panel lifetimes are now around 35 years – that’s free electricity for the majority of the panel’s life cycle. However, some providers offer rental arrangements rather than requiring buying the system outright to help with the cost.
The SEAI suggests at least 40% of a family’s annual demand could be met by a standard system. It will depend a bit on how you use energy and the size of the system.