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How Solar PV Works
REC Solar Panels
Battery Storage For Solar PV
Solar Immersion Diverter
Maintenance for Solar PV Panels
AlphaESS Monitoring System
How does Solar PV work?
When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow. The electricity generated is a DC (direct current). The inverter converts DC into AC (alternating current) so that it is ready-to-use electricity!
What are the components of a Solar PV System?
Photovoltaic systems generally consist of six individual components: the solar PV array, a charge controller, a battery bank, an inverter, a utility meter, and an electric grid.
What are the advantages of solar PV and solar panels?
They can significantly reduce energy bills, increase real estate prices (market value), produce free electricity for over 25 years, and generate surplus electricity to be sold back to the grid. Those with solar PV panels also have a lower carbon footprint, making a significant and positive contribution to the environment.
Is planning permission needed prior to applying for the SEAI solar panel grant?
Planning permission is not needed before applying for the SEAI solar electricity grant.
Is planning permission needed prior to installing solar PV panels?
While the answer is no (not in general), there are some exceptions. For example, properties located in solar safeguarding zones may need to obtain planning permission under certain conditions. Solar safeguarding zones are established to address aviation safety concerns, specifically to reduce the potential impact of glint and glare from increased solar developments near airports and hospitals with helipads.
Can anyone be eligible for the SEAI solar PV grants?
Not ‘everyone’ will be eligible. To avail of the SEAI domestic solar grants for example, you are required to have built and occupied your house by 31st December 2020. The requirements are very similar for all sectors, but you can visit our Residential Solar Grants, Commercial Solar Grants, Agriculture Grants or Public Community Grants web pages to find out exactly what the eligibility criteria are for each sector.
What is the VAT rate on PV Solar Panels?
The government has slashed the VAT rate for domestic solar panels to 0%, delivering thousands of euros of additional savings on top of any grant funding.
What are PV solar panels?
PV Solar panels, also known as Photovoltaic solar panels or electric solar panels, are the type of solar panels that produce electricity. When daylight hits the panels, they will begin to start producing electricity.
What are thermal solar panels?
Another, older type of solar panel is the thermal solar panel. These panels produce hot water directly and are much less popular in Ireland due to the huge price drop in PV solar panels and their lower maintenance. Solar Home do not install thermal solar panels.
What are the best solar panels on the market?
REC Group manufactures the globe’s premium solar panels. REC’s Alpha Pure-RX series are the best panel on the market for many reasons. Visit our Solar Panels page to read why.
Do Solar PV Panels work efficiently in Ireland?
Solar panels are definitely worth your investment in Ireland, as the country has ideal weather for solar power generation. PV technologies use light (not heat). In extreme heat, solar panels will degrade much quicker than in Northern hemisphere climates like Ireland where we have lots of daylight hours, but not much heat!
How much are solar panels? What do they cost?
The cost of solar panels depends on a lot of factors. The top two most important include the quality of the panel (solar panel brand) and the system size you wish to install. Because Solar Home install premium REC solar panels. The upfront cost is slightly more expensive, but the payback period is much faster and the panels are much more energy efficient in the long term, therefore returning you greater savings.
What is the payback time for solar panels?
Because Solar Home install REC solar panels which offer a 20% annual return on investment on average, you can expect to hit payback within 5 years or less.
Can I sell surplus electricity from solar panels in Ireland?
Excess energy generated by solar PV panels can be sold back to the national grid via a Clean Export Premium feed-in tariff. This can help pay back the cost of your solar panels even faster.
How many solar panels do I need?
The scope of your system will depend on a few factors, including who you are (domestic, commercial, community sector etc). The average household will require a 4 kW system consisting of 10 panels, while businesses and farms will likely require a lot more.
How long do solar panels last?
REC solar panels are designed to last up to a minimum of 25 years, and come with performance and product warranties for the same. It’s more likely than not that REC solar panels will continue to produce energy after 30 years, though naturally their degradation rate and performance will deteriorate over time.
What is the best roof orientation for solar panels?
Due South will return the most power output, followed closely by south-west (about 5% lower). If you have a flat roof then we can point your solar panels in any direction, which normally will be south. If you have a pitched roof, the direction the panels will face depends on which direction your roof is already pointing (as you cannot put frames onto pitched roofs to point the panels in a different direction).
Is my roof space big enough for solar panels?
The short answer is: yes, it is very likely big enough. Most Irish houses have ample space on their roofs to make electric solar panels worthwhile. If households can make it work, then any size farm, business or public community building can definitely make savings from solar panels.
Are solar panels environmentally friendly?
Yes! Solar energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy on earth. Solar PV doesn’t use water to operate or release harmful chemicals or substances.
What is a solar PV Battery?
A solar storage battery is essentially a large rechargeable battery. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you’re currently using, the excess power is stored in the battery. Later, when your solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity to meet your needs, the battery provides additional power for FREE.
How many of our customers get batteries for their solar panels?
About two thirds of our customers choose to add battery storage to their solar PV system. For most of those, one solar battery is enough, but they opt for an additional battery for storing excess energy which can otherwise be used during hours of darkness.
How much does a battery cost?
Adding a 5kWh solar storage battery (the most common size) to your system would add between €1,700 – €2,200 to the total cost of your system. A solar storage battery is one of the more expensive parts of a solar electricity system, but also the most empowering component (after the solar panels), giving you more control over energy generation, storage, consumption and optimisation.
Can I charge my batteries at the reduced night rate and discharge the stored power for use during the day?
Yes. We highly recommend that anyone with a battery also opts for a day rate/night rate electricity tariff. This setup maximises the benefits of your battery by allowing you to store cheap night-time electricity for use during the day.
How to maximise benefits from your solar battery?
Most households have two peaks of power usage – in the morning, and in the evening. Charge your battery overnight on night rate electricity and use that full battery to run your morning routine. After morning time, charge up the battery during the day from your solar panels and use that full battery during the evening, so it’s empty and ready to begin the cycle again by being reloaded with half-price power overnight. On Electric Ireland’s latest smart rate tariff, this practice of morning and afternoon battery charging would save you an extra €314.52 per year.
Will my solar batteries keep my house running during a power cut?
By default no, but you can add an extra device called a “Changeover Switch” to be able to run during a powercut. You also need a battery system. Solar installations without batteries will not work during a power cut. Visit our changeover switch web page for more information.
How much power can a solar storage battery hold?
The most common storage battery size for a house in Ireland is 5kWh. This will supply a secondary (or ‘backup’) power source for hours, but is unlikely to see you past a 12 hour window. In any case, every situation is different and it would depend on the size of your solar PV system, battery and time of year.
Can I retrofit a battery or add more later on?
Only if you had a hybrid inverter fitted initially. Most domestic photovoltaic solar installations that do not have batteries have either a standard inverter or micro-inverter fitted, which cannot take a battery. You can learn more about solar inverter types by visiting our solar inverter web page. If you plan to install a solar PV system now and maybe add a battery later, be sure to request a hybrid inverter and ensure space is left for the future installation of the battery.
How long can a hot water diverter be expected to last?
Power diverters should stay operational as long as they are well maintained, but typically they will break sometime after 5 years.
What warranty do Solar Home offer for solar inverters?
We offer a warranty of 5 years which is much shorter than the warranties offered with our other products, however, inverters are much cheaper to replace than batteries and solar panels.
Do solar diverters have multiple functions?
A solar power diverter is used for a single task… powering an immersion heater. If you don’t need it for heating your water, then it will serve you no other purpose.
How much paid energy use will I replace with free energy use?
In the case of a power diverter, this depends on what you primarily use for hot water. If you use the immersion heater frequently then you will be saving a considerable amount of money.
Can I get a solar battery and a power diverter for my PV system?
If they can afford the cost, here is nothing stopping you. They will, however, be competing for the same surplus of electricity from the solar PV array. If your system is large enough then it could well be generating enough power for both.
Will my hot water diverter work on cloudy days or during the winter season?
A diverter only functions when your solar PV system generates more electricity than your home is using in real time. So while performance may be lower on cloudy days or in winter, you can still benefit from diverted solar energy whenever there’s a surplus.
Is it compatible with any hot water tank or heating system?
The PV diverter installed by Solar Home (the MyEnergi Eddi) is compatible with standard immersion heaters and hot water cylinders. However, it’s important to check in with us to ensure compatibility with your current heating setup.
How do I know how much energy my diverter is using?
The Eddi diverter comes with a digital display (MyEnergi mobile app) that allows you to track how much energy is being diverted and how much you’re saving. It gives you real-time visibility into your system’s performance.
Is solar panel maintenance important?
It would be important if it were really necessary, but solar panels self-maintain in Ireland as we have weekly rainfall. So while many installers will tell you every 6 months or once per year, we can assure you that solar panels require very low (if any) maintenance in Ireland. Beware: Don’t waste your money on hiring ‘special’ solar panel maintenance teams.
Do solar panels need frequent cleaning?
To maintain efficiency, panels will need to be cleaned from time to time. If you really feel your solar panels need to be cleaned, you can clean them with biodegradable soap and a cloth. Be sure to be gentle as solar PV modules are delicate in general and if you scratch them or damage them from harsh cleaning, you could interfere with their efficiency to absorb solar from the sun. If any components are damaged, contact Solar Home to inspect your system.
How often should solar energy panels be observed (visual inspection)?
It would be diligent to inspect your solar panels annually to check for damage, though it is not absolutely necessary to do so either. Unless in the exception that you know they have been damaged or notice a sudden decline in energy generation, then it is advised to report on the damage and contact Solar Home to further assess.
In which season should solar energy panels be most maintained or monitored?
In summer, your panels are likely to accumulate more dust, pollen and dirt, while during the winter months, the panels are more susceptible to ice and snow cover. You can monitor your solar panels for damage in all seasons, but we wouldn’t recommend cleaning them too often as this may only have an adverse effect and lead to damage.
What should I pay attention to when inspecting my solar energy panels?
From time to time, the connections on the panel could be checked for loose or damaged connections. If cracks, burns or other damage is found, call Solar Home to repair these defects.
What is a common defect on a solar panel that may require attention?
The most common defects in solar panels include issues such as hot spots, snail trails, and imperfections in the materials. REC panels deploy HJT technology to manufacture advanced solar PV modules that reduce the likelihood of these defects occurring. Find out more by visiting our solar panel web page.
Do you need to turn off solar panels before cleaning?
Yes. If you do decide to clean your solar panels without ‘professional’ support, don’t forget to turn off the power. This ensures that you won’t damage your solar panels while keeping yourself safe from any electrical issues.
What is the AlphaESS Monitoring System?
The AlphaESS Monitoring System, known as AlphaCloud, is a free platform that allows users to monitor and optimise their energy usage 24/7.
How can I access the AlphaESS Monitoring System?
You can access AlphaCloud via the AlphaESS mobile app, available on both Android and iOS devices, or through a web browser.
What real-time data does AlphaCloud provide?
AlphaCloud offers real-time insights into your PV generation, energy consumption, battery status, and grid interaction, helping you manage your energy ecosystem effectively.
Is the AlphaESS Monitoring System free to use?
Yes, AlphaCloud is a lifetime free service provided to all AlphaESS system owners, ensuring continuous access to your energy data.
Can I control my energy settings remotely?
Absolutely. AlphaCloud enables remote setting and control, allowing you to optimise your energy usage based on the cost of electricity and personal preferences.
Does AlphaCloud support predictive analytics?
Yes, AlphaCloud utilises AI algorithms to predict PV generation and maintenance needs, maximising efficiency and ensuring safe operations.
What happens if my internet connection is lost?
While AlphaESS systems require an internet connection for updates and communication with AlphaCloud, they can continue to operate with their most recent settings if the connection is temporarily lost.
Is the system compatible with various PV inverters?
Yes, AlphaESS systems are compatible with a range of PV inverters, supporting both DC coupling and AC coupling configurations.
Can I only integrate AlphaESS cloud with the AlphaESS battery system or will it work with third party battery hardware?
The AlphaESS Cloud (AlphaCloud) is specifically designed to integrate with AlphaESS systems only. The monitoring software, firmware, and communication protocols (like CAN or RS485) used by AlphaESS are proprietary and developed specifically for AlphaESS equipment. This ensures deep integration, accurate data tracking, remote control, and reliable firmware updates, but it also means it won’t support third-party inverters or battery systems.
Where can I find support and tutorials for AlphaESS?
AlphaESS provides a comprehensive Customer Support Hub with videos, tutorials, and guides to assist with system configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance. You can also check our own YouTube Channel to see some tutorials for AlphaESS.
