Solar Energy FAQs with Solar Home Company Directors Shane O’Neill and Colm Conneely
To kick off the season of 2025, Solar Home Company Directors—Shane O’Neill of Athenry Co Galway, and Colm Conneely of Renvyle Co. Galway—got together to share the honest answers to some of the most common questions they receive about PV solar panels.
As the longest established Solar Panel Installation Company in Ireland (Est. 2005), Colm and Shane understand better than anyone that the investment is an important undertaking that requires budgeting as well as both short-term and long-term planning.
In this Q&A-style blog, you will find the answers to the seven most common questions about solar energy. If you wish to discuss any particular question and answer in depth, put yourself in safe hands by calling Shane or Colm on +353 91 848 700 and rest assured you’ll receive the most honest and decent answer.
What is solar PV and how do solar panels work?
Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels convert radiation from the sun into direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to light. Solar PV is the rooftop solar you see on homes and businesses, powering basic and complex electrical appliances such as the TV, kettle, toaster, phone charger, radio, oven, and so on. A solar electric system (PV) is typically made up of three components:
- Solar panels on the roof, which generate DC (direct current – like in a battery).
- An ‘Inverter’ which converts this to AC (alternating current – like the electricity in your house socket).
- Sometimes a battery on larger systems to save energy for later use.
How long do solar panels last?
Our high quality REC solar panels are designed to withstand the harsh Irish weather conditions and come with a 25 year product warranty, but we project them to outlive their warranty, even faced with years of extreme rain, wind or snow. Typically, solar panels degrade at a pace of 1% annually, meaning your solar panels would still be 75% efficient after the 25 years warranty period.
How much does solar cost?
The cost of a solar panel system will vary depending how many panels are needed but on the whole, solar panels have never been more affordable and are approximately 70% cheaper than they were in 2010.
Most homes will need 12-16 panels to meet their energy needs, with an average home of 3 people needing a 3kWh system of 12 solar panels. The cost of solar systems have large price ranges from around €6,500 for smaller homes and up to €13,000 for much larger homes (or businesses).
The team at Solar Home will be able to forecast the cost of your solar installation by asking a few simple questions such as how much electricity you consume monthly, what your electrical consumption habits are, how much of your consumption you can offset and what type of roof structure you have. In every unique case, our solar installer will need to visit your home (or business) to determine whether your roof or selected area offers enough space and is structurally fit for solar panel installation.
Remember: With a solar PV system investment, almost all the costs are upfront. Once the panels are on your roof, there’s little maintenance and (in most cases) few headaches, so you can sit back and enjoy counting the long and many years of savings.
How long is the payback time with solar panels?
Whilst we cannot guarantee payback by an exact fixed number of years, we are proud to share that many of our customers have hit payback within the first 5 years or less (pending their individual usage).
Estimating the time it will take for a solar system to pay for itself through energy savings is part of our initial quote and proposal. We have programs that use your energy usage & energy costs, along with panel specs, orientation, and shading, to project the solar system’s output and determine your payback period. You can book a FREE no-obligation 1:1 video consultation with our team. Email us at info@wordpress-1487131-5663512.cloudwaysapps.com or call us on +353 91 848 700.
What grants are available for solar panels in Ireland?
If you are the homeowner of your house and it was built before 2021, there are SEAI grants available to help offset the cost of installing solar panels in your home.
In 2024, the SEAI grant was capped at €2,100 and only just recently dropped in 2025 (on the 1st January) to €1,800… and it will keep dropping! The Government plans to reduce the grant by up to €300 every year and it is intended that the grant will end and disappear forever by 2029.
If you are eligible for the SEAI grant, you can benefit from the following financial aid:
- €572 for up to 1kWp
- €1,460 for up to 2kWp
- €1,680 for up to 3kWp
- €1,800 for 4kWp – 6kWp
The best advice that can be given to anybody even thinking about investing in solar is this: Don’t wait until ‘later’ to get in touch and secure your grant for solar energy, because ‘later’ will cost you. Reach out to us for a chat and we can help you breeze through the grant application process in minutes.
Do solar panels require maintenance?
The beauty of solar panels is that they require very minimal maintenance. In Ireland, there is enough rainfall each year which means that solar PV panels rarely need to be cleaned.
Once your panels are installed, you will only need to clean them occasionally to keep the surface free of dirt and dust. It is good practice to perform a yearly solar inspection to check the condition of your system and to maximise the energy production and return on your investment by adhering to some maintenance recommendations.
The panels themselves are static with no moving parts, so they do not need frequent maintenance, however, it is recommended to visually inspect them from time to time to check for any damage, dust, dirt buildup or debris, which could reduce their efficiency.
The inverter, which converts the direct current (DC) from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) used in your home, does require occasional maintenance. It is best to have a certified professional inspect it once every year to ensure connections, test components and performance are checked. The Solar Home team is always on hand to visit your property, investigate your system and answer any questions that may arise.
If you use batteries to store excess solar energy, they will require the most frequent maintenance and we recommend inspecting these monthly to check battery levels and connections.
How To Clean Solar Panels
To keep your solar panels clear of such substances, it is safe and advisable to wipe down the panels with a soft cloth, sponge, or brush and water. For stubborn, stuck debris, use a mild detergent. Be very gentle to avoid scratches. Build-up on the panels can reduce annual energy production by up to 15% if left unaddressed… but more often than not the panels will clean themselves!
A Final Note From Two Galway-Based Solar Experts, Shane & Colm
If you are even thinking about the switch to solar power, reach out to us for a casual (no sales) chat and we will be delighted to hear your thoughts and advise you on your unique circumstances.
As the longest established solar company in Ireland, we promise you we are honest and knowledgeable craftsmen, offering a most fair and decent service you will not find elsewhere.
We welcome you to visit our office in Athenry, County Galway (H65 CK46), where we are always ready and waiting to answer your solar-related questions and help you identify an optimal solar solution for your unique needs.
Best of Luck,
Colm & Shane…The Galway Solar Experts!
