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All SolarSmart systems come with a 2-year installation warranty. The solar PV panels come with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty and a 25-year linear performance warranty. The Inverter and Battery each come with a 10-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Will my solar panels work in a power cut?
If your power gets cut in a storm like Éowyn, you can go off-grid by adding a changeover switch to your installation setup. Once in place you will be able to simply flick a switch and run your house from solar and battery when there is no mains power available. Then switch back when mains power is restored. It’s a great energy security bonus
Can I charge my EV with my solar panels?
Any electricity produced by your solar panels goes to your house first, then if there is spare power will go to charge your electric car. It’s possible to install a system which connects your EV charger directly to a Solar PV array or battery system. This allows for much faster charging than drawing from the home grid, as it bypasses the need for any AC/DC conversion in your EV.
Do solar panels work in Ireland?
Yes, solar PV systems will generate electricity whenever there is daylight, so they will still function even on cloudy or overcast days in Ireland. As long as there are 4-5 hours of daylight each day, solar PV will harness enough energy to power your home. The sunnier it is, the more energy your panels will produce, often creating an excess you can sell back to the grid, but solar power is absorbed even on the dullest mid-winter days.
Can I install my own solar panels DIY?
You can legally install solar panels yourself in Ireland. But you are required to have a certified electrician to make the final connections.
Also, you will not be eligible to avail of the SEAI solar grant unless you use an approved installer.
What's a kilowatt? or a kilowatt hour?
All your household appliances and gadgets consume electricity measured in kilowatts (kW). Most Kettles for example are between 1.5 kW to 3kW appliances. A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of energy you’d use if you kept a 1,000 watt appliance running for 1 hour.
That can be confusing, so here’s a few examples:
The average washing machine uses 1kWh per cycle.
Boiling a litre of water in an electric kettle uses around 0.06 kWh.
The average 2-3 bed home in Ireland uses around 11.5 kWh per day and 4200 kWh every year.
Which system should I get?
The first step on your journey to lower energy bills is to arrange an online consultation with a solar advisor. During the session, we will review your energy consumption habits and complete an aerial assessment of your property to determine how many PV panels could fit.
Our goal at SolarSmart is to size a solar system that will deliver the greatest impact to your personal savings over the next 25 years.
What about planning permisson?
Planning permission is no longer required for solar PV panels. However, if your dwelling is a protected structure or listed building, we recommend you seek guidance from your local planning authority. See announcement.
What's the payback period for solar in 2025?
Advances in solar panel technology and scaling up of the industry means solar panels cost a lot less less in 2025 than in previous years. Additionally energy prices have gone way up. That means previous SEAI estimates of installations taking up to 10 years to payback are now out of date.
In 2025, a solar panel installation can pay itself off in as little as 5 years depending on the setup. That’s a 20% annual return on investment.
Should I get a battery?
When solar power is created, it must be used immediately, otherwise the unused electricity must spill over to the Irish grid. To avoid spilling excess electricity to the grid, a battery is needed so that it can store what is produced during daylight so that it can then be used to power a home during the night.
Another option for storing excess electricity is to divert it to an immersion. An ideal scenario is to store any excess in both a battery and an immersion.
Reduce your energy bills
Every hour of electricity you generate with your solar PV panels is money you no longer have to pay your electricity supplier.
Increase the value of your home
Solar PV and battery storage systems increase the BER rating and the value of your home because your home is more energy efficient.
Sell excess energy back to the grid
Your electricity supplier is required to pay a rebate for every unit of electricity you sell back to the grid.
Energy Independence
Lost power during Storm Eowyn? An optionally configured solar installation plus battery can give you hours of off-grid power.