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Solar panels can provide energy for your whole house using only the energy of the sun. The journey that this energy take from the sun to your socket is quite the epic! You might be surprised by some of the steps along the way. Read on to learn more – the complete guide to how …
Why Monitor Your Electricity Use? If you want to reduce your electricity consumption, a good place to start is by measuring it accurately. The old-fashioned way to do this was to read your electricity meter daily. But today there are much more advanced ways to monitor your electricity use. Specifically, you can now buy a …
Thousands of people like you are going solar. But are solar panels worth it in Ireland? Solar panels can give you big savings on your electricity bills. And you can even earn money by selling surplus solar electricity to the grid. However, there’s also a significant upfront cost. This article will help you to weight …
Are Solar Panels Worth It In Ireland? (Costs vs Savings) Read More »
Ireland is behind on reducing emissions. However, one key sector of our economy is already right on track to with decarbonising: Electricity generation. But can we reach even higher targets for variable renewable power by 2030? To answer this question, we first need to understand our current electricity generation mix: Ireland’s Electricity Generation Mix for …
Emissions Reductions: One Key Sector That’s Already On Track Read More »
There’s no doubt about it: Shade is not good for solar PV panels. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about the true effects of shade. So let’s clear up the misconceptions. Knowing more about solar and shade will help you design a solar PV system that’s both more productive and more cost effective. Christmas …
This is an idea I had a few months ago. After lots of research I’ve decided not to develop it, at least for the moment. However, I will share the proposal in case it might be useful for somebody else. Perhaps you’ll build on the idea or adapt it idea for a better use. Click …
d-Lumen: A Proposed System for Cost-Effective Water Heating From Solar PV Read More »
What Exactly is a Smart Meter? To understand smart meters, your first need to understand old-style electricity meters. Old-style electricity meters are very simple: The only thing they do is keep a tally of how much electricity has been used since the meter was installed, just like the mile counter on your car. Smart meters …
There are two main kinds of electric shower used in Ireland, and they work in very different ways: Pumped showers are fed with both hot and cold water. They use a mixing valve to blend them together to provide water at a comfortable temperature for the user. Instantaneous Electric Showers are fed with cold water …
Efficiency is one of the most talked-about topics in solar, but also one of the least understood. So what does the efficiency of a solar panel really mean? Definitions Solar panel efficiency is the electrical power output divided by the available solar power. For example, if a solar panel produces 400W of electricity from 2000W …
Note: The easiest way to calculate solar NPV is with our handy Solar NPV Online Calculator. Solar PV is a big investment, and you need to carefully consider the cost and return before going ahead. Net Present Value (NPV) is a calculation that can help you to decide if solar PV is a good idea …
Calculating Net Present Value for Solar PV Systems (For Businesses) Read More »
If you’re thinking of buying a solar PV system then you’ll need to get a site survey done first. Here are the main reasons why: To find out if your location is suitable for solar PV So the surveyor can learn how you use electricity. This helps him/her to design your system in a way …
Solar panels depend on light from the sky to make electricity. Therefore, facing them the right direction will allow your panels to produce the most power at the most important times. Read on or watch the video to find out why South is often, but not always, the best direction for solar panels in Ireland. …
Maybe you’ve heard about solar PV from a friend. Maybe you’ve seen solar panels on your neighbours’ roofs and wondered if you should be getting them as well? Read on if you would like to find out what the benefits of solar PV could be for you. Reduced Electricity Bills from Day One From the …
If you’ve looked into solar PV, you’ve probably heard words like “all-black”, “bifacial”, or “all glass”. These terms refer to what’s on the back of your PV panel. Backsheets matter because they affect the appearance and performance of your PV system. Read on to learn about the four types of solar panel backsheets. White EVA …
Many people ask me about the installation process for solar PV. The good news is that installing solar PV panels brings minimal disruption to your home and your daily routine. There are two main aspects to the job: Electrical work and installation of the panels. Here’s an overview of the process so that you’ll know …
The Problem Solar PV can be a lucrative investment for commercial electricity users. Many businesses have the perfect combination of high electricity use and lots of roof space. Economies of scale also help with the cost-effectiveness of large commercial systems. Put together, these factors can translate into a very high rate of return from commercial …
You typically don’t need planning permission for solar panels in Ireland. However, there are limitations and rules you need to follow, if you want to go solar without the hassle of planning permission. The main rules for homes, industrial buildings, farms, etc., are shown below. For the exact legislation, read S.I. 493 of 2022. Houses …
The basic difference between solar PV (photovoltaic) and solar thermal is that PV produces electricity while thermal produces hot water. But which is the better option for Irish households? Potential Savings are Higher With Solar PV Forgetting to turn off the immersion is the nightmare of every Irish householder. And it’s true that it takes …
While we don’t get as much sunshine as we’d like to, other factors help solar panels to perform well in Ireland. Some of them might surprise you! Read on to learn all about the solar panel performance in Ireland. Ireland Gets Plenty of Solar “Irradiance” (Daylight) Much the sun’s energy penetrates through clouds. The downside …
