Solar panels are not an every day purchase for homeowners or even business owners. They’re not something you run down to your local Tesco for and not every solar panel, battery, inverter, diverter orEV charger is the same. With that in mind, in this post we’re going to cover the basics of solar panels and ensure you know what you actually need, what that is likely to cost and what savings you’ll potentially make.
What are solar panels?
Solar panels are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. They work a bit like magic plants, except instead of turning sunlight into food like plants do, they turn it into power we can use for our homes, schools and other buildings.
Each solar panel is made up of many smaller units called solar cells. These cells contain special materials (mainly silicon) that get excited when sunlight hits them. When the sunlight’s energy hits these materials, it knocks electrons loose, creating an electric current. This is called the “photovoltaic effect” – photo meaning light, and voltaic relating to electricity. Sometimes you’ll hear solar panels referred to as PV and this is why.
But Northern Ireland is grey 365 days a year
This is true, but PV cells don’t need direct sunlight to work and converting light into energy. Yes they work better and create more energy during our two days of summer, but they still create enough energy for most homes, even on overcast days.
Generally speak, Northern Ireland has pretty decent conditions for the use of solar panels. We don’t get extreme hot or cold weather, wind isn’t a huge issue and while our summer is often moderate at best, this provides enough energy for the majority of home and business use. As a result over 50,000 homes and businesses have installed solar pv systems.
How much do solar panels cost in Northern Ireland?
The cost of solar panels in Northern Ireland specifically has never been cheaper. 5 years ago a single a 350kW solar panel could have cost anywhere over £650. Today they average at just over £400.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average solar panel system is around 3.5 kilowatt peak (kWp). The kWp is the maximum amount of power the system can generate in ideal conditions. A 3.5kWp system typically covers between 10 to 20m2 of roof surface area, using 10-12 panels. This means many solar panel installers start their pricing of solar panel installs from around £4,000.
Is a 3.5 kilowatt system enough?
A 3.5kW solar system has a peak power output of 3.5 kilowatts or 3500 watts, meaning it can generate a maximum of 3500 watts of electricity under ideal sunlight conditions. It is generally considered suitable for small to medium households and can provide enough power for essential appliances and lighting needs. Larger system will provide you with more electricity and potential savings, however, this is very much dependent on how much electricity you use.
When should I consider solar panels?
There are a number of instances when you should consider solar panels. The first is when you have a high electricity cost. The majority of homeowners in NI use less than £100 of electricity per month. Anything over this would be medium to high usage. The more electricity you use, the greater the case and the quicker the payback period for your solar install.
The second instance you might decide to install solar panels, batteries and possible an inverter is when you want security and peace of mind on your energy costs. Over the past 5 years energy costs have risen significantly and many homeowners and business owners are choosing to secure their energy costs with the installation of solar panels. Yes there is an upfront cost, but the typical payback period has decreased significantly with the lower cost of solar.
Currently there are no grants for home solar panels in Northern Ireland, however there is current discussion on this at Stormont. For businesses Invest NI are currently providing funding and support for energy efficiency in businesses across Northern Ireland. These are usually on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure you get your application in promptly.
Many of the installers who partner with Compare Solar NI have experience in completing these grants and will be more than willing to assist you in filling this in for your business.
How much could I save?
The level of savings you make varies. It depends primarily on the number of panels you install, how much electricity you normally use and the cost of energy (your tariff). Generally speaking though, homeoweners will save between £340 and £590 per year on average.
What are the benefits of solar panels?
- Cut electricity bills
- Provide energy security and confidence of cost
- Reduce carbon dioxide emmissions
- Potential to earn income by selling back to the grid.
What is the process of installing solar panels in NI?
Much like elsewhere, the process in Northern Ireland starts with you the customer.If you decide you want to price the installation, then the first thing to do is to complete the form on our homepage. Up to 3 of our Northern Ireland’s solar panel installers will get in touch with you. Some will want to do a survey of your property in person, others will use online mapping software to get a birds eye view of your property.
Once they have the information they need, the installer will provide you with both a quote and a performance estimate based on the position of your panels and the number you choose to install. This will help you determine the payback period.
Once you’ve agreed on your chosen supplier, they’ll arrange a date and time for installation. This should only take just over a half day, but many installers suggest booking out a full day to cover all eventualities.
After that, the system will begin working and provide you with clean and free electricity for the next 20+ years.
Interesting fact about solar panels in Northern Ireland
One of the facts that struck us originally when researching solar panels for use in NI, was the fact the moderate temperature we find here is actually a positive. The biggest risk to any solar panels and their effectiveness is surprisingly, overheating. In warmer countries with much more sunlight, this is a common problem that needs to be overcome. Thankfully in Northern Ireland solar panels will still be highly effective at reducing your electricity costs.