Blog

HAVE YOURSELF A SPARKLY SOLAR CHRISTMAS
Think first before you cover your home and garden in Christmas lights! Learn how you can save money, and the environment, this Christmas by being choosy with your decor.

DO-IT-YOURSELF SOLAR?
Want to know what it takes to DIY a solar panel system? With Ireland’s Solar Experts, learn why professional installation is the smarter choice.

TRUE CRIME: After a Kidnapping, and a Smear Campaign, Solar Energy Emerges as Market Leader
Revitalise lost solar vision from 1909 – Dr. Sugandha Srivastav explains solar’s early demise, urging us to join the solar revolution’s revival and embrace the benefits of solar energy now!

In the Name of the BER: Is My Old House Suitable for Solar?
It’s easy to see how easily a new or recently built house can be adapted to accommodate solar PV. Is solar PV suitable, though, for houses like a terraced house or a period home? The answer is “yes”!

From Fields to Panels: How Solar PV is Reshaping Agriculture in Ireland
Learn more about how farms are ideally suited to solar PV. With unique access to the space required – either in fallow fields or on shed roofs – farmers could offset or eliminate one of the biggest financial variables they face – high energy costs.

Can a Battery Help Me Get the Most From My Solar Panel System?
Here are our most frequently asked questions about batteries for solar panel systems. That way, when you start looking for a company to install your Solar PV system, you can be prepared to follow up with any questions specific to your personal situation.

Solar Panels – What’s in the 2024 Budget?
The Irish solar industry sector’s leading voice, the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) described Budget 2024 as containing “welcome measures” – and there were important changes to key supports for those looking to get solar panels in Ireland. There are significant bits of good news for solar in Budget 2024.

Solar Energy: A Transformative Power Source
In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the world of solar energy, exploring its pros and cons, and equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about harnessing the power of the sun.

Solar Power – Ireland’s Sustainability “Moon Shot”?
In the second half of 2022, global sales of solar systems rose by 20%. In Ireland, the solar power industry is also “taking off like a rocket”, with almost 60,000 homes already generating solar power on their rooftops and 500 houses being connected to the grid every week. Working together, the government and businesses like ours can support Irish households in taking that leap of faith that will make this solar power “moon shot” a reality.

Shining a Light on Ireland’s Solar Boom: Your Guide to Going Green
There are many reasons for Ireland’s solar boom. The country has an abundance of sunlight, with an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. The government also offers generous incentives for solar energy, such as the Solar Electricity PV Grant and the Microgeneration Support Scheme. If you are thinking about going solar, there are a few things you need to know.

Solar PV for Social Housing
Solar PV on social housing could have a huge impact on the amount of energy vulnerable consumers would need to buy. Studies show that terraced houses are among the highest emitters of residential greenhouse gases. However, they are also among the easiest to retrofit with energy saving upgrades like solar. National and local government needs to act now to ensure that those most in need have an opportunity to share in a cheaper, greener, and more secure energy future.

Jobs in Solar: Fulfill Your (Green) Ambitions
The rapid increase in demand for solar means that demand for workers is rising faster than in many other sectors of the economy. Jobs in renewable energy production can offer great opportunities for well-paid, challenging and rewarding work for students.

Solar Panel Business Grants: A Game Changer
The Irish government have announced a multi-million euro investment to support Irish business in making the transition to renewable energy, helping them to save even more money with solar PV.

Prosumer: Word of the Day
Learn about the role of the prosumer and how you can help achieve a zero-carbon world.

Solar Batteries Supercharge Your Savings
A solar battery added to your installation provides a way of storing energy for when you need it and limits the amount you need to buy.

Solar vs wind: What do the environmental campaigners say?
When it comes to wind vs solar development, environmental campaigners say to Minister Ryan, “That ain’t no way to treat a landscape” as they rally against more on-shore wind.

Go Solar Now: 140 Years After Invention
Happy Earth Day! Find out why 2023 can AND should be the year for a massive rollout of solar power across Ireland and how this affects you.

Zero percent VAT rate for solar panel installations
If, like so many of us, you’re struggling with high energy bills and feeling miserable about the snail’s pace of progress in addressing the climate change emergency, take heart.

How to Pay for Solar
Oil producers react with anger to “solar energy providers’ plot” to
deprive them of profits: Vote to decrease production. If you are one of those who has decided it’s time to switch to solar and deprive them of some of their “power”, here are a few of the facts you need to know.

Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?
The answer is a resounding “yes”. The type of solar energy being installed in Ireland works by harvesting sunlight through solar panels.

SEAI Solar Grant: How to Apply [2023]
Want to apply for an SEAI Solar grant, but not sure where to start? We’ve highlighted some helpful information on your switch to solar PV.

Fossil Fuel Countries Vs Scientific Evidence
According to leaked draft documents, fossil fuel producing countries successfully lobbied for changes that, in many cases, conflict with scientific evidence.

Solar PV Grants in Ireland [2023]
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) are two organisations that offer grants to homeowners, farmers, schools, businesses and community centres, among others, who are interested in installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their properties. Here is an overview of the different SEAI and TAMS solar PV grants available in Ireland

Solar Grant for Irish Farms
Irish farms are now eligible for solar grants under the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme.
Find out how your farm can switch to solar!

Do you need planning permission for solar panels in Ireland?
It’s now possible to install as many solar panels as possible on rooftops in Ireland, subject to certain conditions. The 12 sq metre or 50% restriction is no longer. Ireland today announced new planning permission exemptions.

Energy-efficient Living: The Guide
This guide simplifies what the Irish homeowner needs to undertake to transition to a cleaner, greener, energy-efficient home, including information on grants, finance available, the BER system and how improvements to your home can move it up the BER scale.

5 Reasons Why Solar Works in Ireland
It’s easy to assume Ireland is too far north, and that warm Mediterranean countries are the only benefactors of solar energy systems. Solar is really effective in Ireland. Here’s 5 reasons why now is the perfect time to install a domestic solar energy system.

Why Choose SolarSmart
Selecting the right solar installation partner isn’t an easy task. Here’s a list of 7 reasons why we think the smart choice is SolarSmart.

How does a Solar Energy system work?
A solar energy system is a simple system consisting of solar panels, an inverter and an optional battery. Solar panels make DC power which is turned into AC power and used by your home.

Are you eligible for the SEAI grant?
SEAI make available a grant up to €2400 for the installation of solar PV panels and a battery storage system. You are eligible for the SEAI solar PV grant, up to €2400, if your home was built and occupied before 2021.

How much money can you save with solar panels?
The minute you install a solar system in your home, you start making your own electricity and you become less reliant on your electricity supplier. But how much can you really save?