What do I need to know when considering PV Solar Panels?

What to know before install solar panels

Materials – Number of solar panels and power output

• Number of Panels: The number of solar PV panels you put on your roof should be dictated by

• a) how much room you have on your roof, and

• b) sizing a system that will meet your demands to generate renewable electricity.

Generally speaking, when looking to install solar pv panels, we recommend a minimum of 6 solar panels. In LVP, we have a number of options when it comes to solar panels, the output of these panels ranges from 390W to 450W electricity output from solar electricity. The datasheets for some of our solar panels available can be found on our brochures page here.

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• Optimisers: Occasionally, we come across applications where a number of solar panels are in shade for part of the day. In this situation, we can fit optimisers in order to limit the impact that this shade will have.

Planning your solar PV system

There are some considerations when planning your PV solar panels system. Planning restrictions have been lifted, but we must still take a number of factors into consideration when planning your solar panel system, such as the distance from the edges of roofs that the panels must be. The LVP design team can advise on this.

Savings and electricity generated

How much you can expect to save on your electricity bills

The amount that you save on energy bills by installing solar panels will generally vary, dependent upon the size of the array installed, and the utilisation of all energy used. 1KW of Solar Panels will generally provide between 800 and 1000KW of free electricity. Please click on the link below to give an indicative idea of what you may be able to save on your electricity bills by using solar photovoltaic panels.

Additionally, you can sell excess energy from your solar system back to your energy supplier. The amount you get depends on your electricity supplier, as well as the amount of excess energy generated, which in itself is dictated by how many solar panels you have. This is a great way to further offset electricity bills and help reduce not only your carbon footprint, but that of your community by helping to provide your own renewable energy source through efficient solar panels. Learn more about selling your excess electricity back to the grid here.

Selling your excess energy back is known as the clean export guarantee (CEG), sometimes also called the smart export guarantee. Ask one of our solar panel installers about this scheme here and how this can help solar panel owners or those seeking to install panels or expand their solar installation.

SEAI Solar PV Grant for solar panel installations

The SEAI solar power grant can help you buy solar panels and with managing solar panels cost for your home

• Support for solar technologies is available to all owners of dwellings built and occupied before 2021 and where SEAI have not previously provided support for solar PV system at that address.

• €700 per kWp up to 2kWp eg €1400 for a 2kWp installation

• €200 per kWp for every additional kWp up to 4kWp

• Total grant support €1800.

• Only an installer who is on SEAI’s Renewable Installers Register for solar panels can certify the installation of a solar PV System.

• Once your installed solar energy system is ready to go, you will need to get a new BER assessment. LVP will arrange this and cover the cost of this service.

Further information on the grant structure can be found at https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/solar-electricity-grant/ or alternatively, call us in the office on (01)8643838 for further information