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 of this is you can get sunburn even on a cloudy day. The upside is solar panels can perform well even when the sun isn’t shining. Overall, daylight levels in Ireland are very good. In fact, the solar energy we get is very close to countries like Germany and Austria where PV solar panels have been popular for many years now.
Cool Temperatures are Best
A surprising fact about solar PV panels is that they work best at low temperatures. This means cool Irish temperatures and fresh breezes help to you to get optimal performance from your PV panels. That’s why you may be amazed to find your solar PV system cranking out max power on a cold, clear, frosty morning. Similarly, customers often report that May is one of their best months for solar PV production (a time of year with cooler temperatures than June or July).
Rain Keeps Panels Clean
Think that a desert is the ideal place for solar panels? Think again! In deserts, solar panels can lose 30% of their production to sand and dust that cover the panels and block out light. We don’t have any deserts in Ireland. Instead, our climate brings lots of rain to wash dirt off our panels and keep them clean. Clean Irish panels allow more light in, and more light means more electricity produced.
High Electricity Prices
Unfortunate but true. We have some of the Europe’s most expensive electricity here in Ireland. The upside for solar PV is that every unit of solar power you generate gives you a bigger saving on your electricity bill. That’s why from houses and businesses to giant solar farms, PV solar is booming in Ireland right now.
Conclusion
Overall, Ireland’s climate is favourable to solar PV. On top of this, high power prices mean that electricity generated by a solar PV system translates into big savings on your bills. These factors have led to a thriving solar PV industry in Ireland. But are solar panels worth it for you? Read how to weigh up the costs and benefits of solar panels in Ireland.
Thinking of Going Solar? Compare Quotes From Ireland’s Best Solar Installers
While there are many great solar panel installers out there, finding them is a minefield! Thankfully, EnergyD’s quote comparison makes it easy to compare quotes from solar installers around Ireland. Enter your Eircode below now to get started: