You don't have to wait for summer or a sunny day to install solar panels

Absolutely, there’s no wrong time to get solar panels. Normally it takes about two months from consultation to when the panels are up and running on your roof. So if you get them this time of year, you have a full energy cycle with solar panels for 2025. As soon as they’re up on the roof they’re generating.

Are there things we can do to optimise the amount of power generated by solar panels in winter?

You can get an optimiser put on panels and that negates any shading, and maximises energy production. It adds a marginal additional cost but, but it amounts to a small percentage of the overall cost. Optimisers are put on houses in the summer too. It really depends on the aspect of your house — you might not need them on all the panels.

Is there any point in even having solar panels in wintertime in Ireland?

Yes it’s definitely worth it. We’re lucky that we don’t get a lot of snow in Ireland, so the panels don’t tend to get covered by snowfall very often. Even in winter you can have clear, crisp days that will generate as much energy as in the middle of summer. The difference is the amount of hours of daylight, but the panels work just as well. While you’re producing for a shorter period, they produce the same amount of power, so it’s nothing to do with temperature.

Is there anything to protect panels from snow?

Unfortunately not, snow can sometimes cover them unless it slides off - don’t get up on the roof to try and move it! Solar panels won’t function under snow but you’re still served off the grid - you just won’t self-produce energy.

What kind of options are there for people who are thinking of getting solar panels?

First option: you generate enough power to use in your house, and any excess is sent back to the grid and you get credit.

Second option: install a battery, store your excess and use it at peak rates so you’re not relying on the grid.

Third option: Get a hot water diverter as part of the installation, which sends excess energy to your hot water tank, giving you hot water all year around.

In terms of additional costs to the above, the battery would add about €2,000 to €2,500 to the system per battery; a diverter costs approx €650.

Tell us something we didn’t know about having solar panels — are there unexpected benefits?

Outside of the obvious — reducing your electricity bill by up to 60-70% — the green benefit is massive. There are also benefits for EV drivers: the chargers can be integrated into the same system so they’re communicating with each other all the time, and the energy that charges the car comes from the solar panels.

It’s been said that Ireland has the ‘Goldilocks effect’ in terms of our climate and solar panels — why?

We have a very temperate climate — we tend to have a temperature range of between 22°C and -1°C, which is optimum for panels. If it gets too hot or too cold, panels tend to shut down. There’s always the danger of an 'act of God', ie Storm Ophelia back in 2017, but they are rare. These events can potentially damage solar panels, but it would take a very extreme situation. For the panels to fly off, basically the roof itself would have to fly off.

Does the aspect of your house make any difference in terms of getting optimum use out of solar? i.e south facing, on a height, etc.

Absolutely, best put them on a south-facing roof — it gets the longest amount of sunlight. East-facing only gets morning, West- only gets evening. It’s not true to say they should never be put on a North-facing roof — it will get some sunshine, but South is best.

What are the benefits of businesses, especially those with large premises, getting solar panels installed?

It's largely the same principle as domestic when it comes to commercial property. The major difference being the different grants businesses can qualify for, depending on the size of the building. Ultimately, the more panels required, the larger the grant. For both commercial and domestic, it boils down to reducing your electricity bill. On a commercial install, companies can also apply for Accelerated Capital Allowance, which can be offset against tax.

Are there any additional considerations with getting solar panels in the winter?

There is no difference between installing your system in the winter or summer; the only consideration is that unsuitable weather could affect the fitting process.

I only have a small roof space — what's the minimum number of solar panels possible to make it still viable to have them?

This depends on what orientation the roof is facing. For example, you would need four panels south-facing to make any impact on your electricity bill.

What does a solar panel typically weigh?

Solar panels weigh 25kg each.

Can you put solar panels on a shed roof or could you use them as the angled roof of a pergola or gazebo?

You can fit solar panels on any structure. They can be fitted on a flat roof, angled roof and shed roofs. You can also fit them on a ground mounting system. Something to be aware of: when you are fitting the panels away from the main house, electric cables will need to run from the panels back to the house, normally in an underground ducting.

Do the panels get hot? Do they increase the temperature of the room beneath where they are installed?

The panels will not get too hot. They are designed to absorb sunlight, so any temperature increase is held within the structure of the panels. This will not affect any internal rooms below the panels.

While being aware that prices vary of course, could you give a typical price for solar panels on the south-facing roof of a 3-bed semi?

Your standard price for a 10-panel system is approx €5,000 after the grant. To add a battery to the system is approximately €2,000 extra.

If I have 10 solar panels installed, how long before I could expect to see a difference in my electricity bill and of how much for example?

The minute the solar is turned on there will be an instant reduction on your electric bill. Just be aware all the electricity suppliers offer different rates and offers, so shop around to find the best package that suits you. On average you can expect your electric bill to reduce by 60-70%.