My experience with installing SEAI grant aided solar PV

hi here is a solar PV quote i receive It seems ok but what do you think

2kW Solar PV + hot water starts at about €3,500 after the grant.
4kW Solar PV + 2.4kWh Battery storage at about €4,500 after the grant.
6kW Solar PV + 4.8kWh Battery storage at about €6,500 after the grant.

This include VAT and Instalation

thanks
Hi guys,
something I received today-see link bellow and questions on top of it: Nobody mentioned maintenance cost. Is there any? May change whole return cost calculation.

[broken link removed]
 
Hi guys,
something I received today-see link bellow and questions on top of it: Nobody mentioned maintenance cost. Is there any? May change whole return cost calculation.

[broken link removed]

There will be maintenance and parts costs to be considered over the years.

Also, I'd be wary of any company that pushes such limited time offers or other pressure sales techniques. Also, I'd worry about a company that claims the price is €3,315, but goes on to say you pay a 10% deposit of €331.50 followed by a final payment of €3,000...
 
Palerider did you do your solar yet ? Just wondering how it worked out cost / set up wise and if you are happy with it.
 
After one full year of solar our household has used just over 1200 kwhs. That's about a 60% reduction over our normal annual usage from the grid.

That's with a 4.2kw East/West solar array and 4.8kwh battery. E/w array produced 3200kwh for the year. A South facing array would produce more (closer to 4200kwh) but you would need to be able to use it, store it or sell it. ( Hopefully a feed in tariff will be announced soon)

I think that's a better return on your savings than holding money in a bank at close to 0%. Especially as electricity prices generally rise 3-4% per year.
 

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Palerider did you do your solar yet ? Just wondering how it worked out cost / set up wise and if you are happy with it.

I have a 4.55kw South-East/West array, a 6kw odd battery and a diverter.

Overall happy enough, the diverter has been heating the bath element, I need to change that to sink only as it suits us better, using the boost for 30 minutes is useless otherwise.

Bought €16.50 electricity during first 30 days, trying to be good and use as we produce, no high consuming items on late in the day and often get through the night on the battery storage.

Not watching what I send to the grid as I can’t do much about that.

Had to learn the best way to use the system myself, installer fitted and moved on to next job,

Paid less than €8k after the grant, a lot of money but getting nothing in the Bank. Payback in monetary terms only is a long time.

Time will tell if this makes sense or was a daft idea.
 
HI went ahead and got the 4.2KW setup with Battery and Solis Hybred inverter No Diverter and so far so good
total cost after grant will be 4700e It took the installers about 10hrs to install on a Bungalow roof including all electrics
firemans etc a very neat job and with information and advice every step of the way At the moment i am using less than I generate
so will look at an I booster or other type of Diverter one I can install myself or maybe extra pylontech battery at a later date

Something to be aware is the size of the Solis inverter and the battery cage it takes up a lot of space I have mine
in the utility room

I all ready see they advantages of the set up allthough the main disadvantage on a sunny day is watching all
that power go back to the grid .
others on this forum remarked If you had 5k the Banks would give you SFA
in interest on that amount so at todays rates it may be the better investment
for that 5k

yildun
 
Really interesting posts many thanks. Had two visits from solar pv firms and pretty underwhelmed by advice. One consultant wouldn't even reveal their technology. The other was very pushy hard sell with prices over 10k (after grant) if we signed up there and then.

We're planning to install pv as follows:
12 PV panels on south facing unshaded dormer bungalow in south Kilkenny with flat grey tiled roof.
Can you recommend as follows:
1. Are batteries worthwhile?
2. Is diverter to heating worthwhile?
3. Must we apply for planning permission? I checked this and believe that gt 7 panels needs planning permission but it's not entirely clear.
4. Do you find significant reduction in pv output on cloudy days?

Thanks so much. Its a big investment for us and trying to get it right isnt easy.

Larry
 
Really interesting posts many thanks. Had two visits from solar pv firms and pretty underwhelmed by advice. One consultant wouldn't even reveal their technology. The other was very pushy hard sell with prices over 10k (after grant) if we signed up there and then.

We're planning to install pv as follows:
12 PV panels on south facing unshaded dormer bungalow in south Kilkenny with flat grey tiled roof.
Can you recommend as follows:
1. Are batteries worthwhile?
2. Is diverter to heating worthwhile?
3. Must we apply for planning permission? I checked this and believe that gt 7 panels needs planning permission but it's not entirely clear.
4. Do you find significant reduction in pv output on cloudy days?

Thanks so much. Its a big investment for us and trying to get it right isnt easy.

Larry
My personal opinion:
1) small batteries are definitely worthwhile if going for the grant as they are about the same price as the €1k grant you get for them and they "unlock" further grants for arrays larger than 2.4kW.
2) In most cases I don't think the diverter makes sense but depends on many factors - your current hot water heating system, what time of days you use hot water, how much surplus electricity you generate, your current hot water cylinder etc.
3) Technically there are planning permisison limits as to how many panels you can put up before planning. There has been one person that I know of who had a fight with their council about exceeding this (and maybe even was on the front of their house) but the council was over-ruled by ABP. This practically over-rules the planning restriction. If your panels are at the front of the house and visible from the public road you might have some issue but otherwise I think you would be safe enough. You can always apply for retention permission after installation should there be any issues.
4) Can be as much as 50% but the winter months is the issue as opposed to the odd cloudy day.

You should be able to get a 3.75kW array with a battery for between €5k-6€k after grant. Anything more is madness. I have received a few quotes within those ballparks on a 2-storey house in Dublin so keep trying more companies, a bungalow should be a cheaper install.
 
HI I agree The battery grant is worth it as it opens the way to a further grant and bigger KW systems it gets you a
hybrid inverter which can charge the battery and simultaneously manage inputs from both solar panels and a battery bank, charging batteries with either solar panels also with the Pylontech batteries you get a battery cage with space for more batteries so you can add on in
the future as required Its pretty easy to add a battery to the system

If you are not using the power you generate then that unused power goes back to the Grid and m you loose it unitill an if the powers that be start paying a wholesale price for that power it may be better to use a diverter to heat water Diverters can also be added at a later date without the need for an electrican Models Like the I Boost

Planning all I can say is check with the LocalCC

Hi On cloudy days it varies an the output can be for me around .2KW and thats when it is Light for longer that the winter days I am happy i went for the 4.2KW sytem becasuse on a cloudy day the precentage of power it generate is 50 percent more than a 2KW system all things being equal

I checked out a lot of companies on the SEAI list and the price varies from 8.5K to 10.2K some with a hard sell for the same work and same Panels and Inverter choose carefully who you get to install your system

good luck
 
That is so helpful - many thanks to you both for your replies. It is a big ticket item for us and we are trying to get it right and I don't know anyone who has installed the PV solution. My sister installed solar thermals and is underwhelmed by them.
Our panels are in the front of the house but not visible from the road (we are on the side of a hill - south facing unobstructed).

Do you find are there any issues with maintenance - e.g. maintenance of the panels? Also, do you have any thoughts on fixings to your roof? do I need to get roof supports (I noticed in USA posts people having problems with panel weight).

Larry.
 
Hi The solar heating panel are NOT PV panels STs work by using heat exchange to warm your water tank If you have ever left
a hose pipe out in your garden on a sunny day when u use it the first few seconds the water insideof the coiled hose can be quite
hot That more or less is what the STs do PVs generate DC power which is converted by the Inverter to mains AC

I am told that rain helps clean however with Bird droppings Dust etc a soft cloth and soap and water will work a bit like any
glass i would guess Mine are on a bungalow so easy to get at

Re roof support I dont know mine is a standard A frame The installer on his first visit will let you know I do however know that slate roofs cost more

I have included my current usage below U can monitor ur solis online Its showing 2,8KW generation 300w being used by house battery fully charged and rest going to the grid ESB networks are doing well on a sunny thursday afternnon If I dont set up a diverter I will look at an IP wifi switch and remote on a heater or the Imersion or something else My system is less than a month old so its a new learning curve

Good luck



Generation
  • Production Power
    2.80 kW
  • Daily Production
    10.20kWh
  • Monthly Production
    248.50kWh
  • Yearly Production
    362.00kWh
  • Total Production
    352.00kWh
Consumption
  • Consumption Power
    301.00 W
  • Daily Consumption
    9.20kWh
  • Monthly Consumption
    168.40kWh
  • Yearly Consumption
    270.00kWh
  • Total Consumption
    280.00kWh
Grid-connected
  • Grid Power
    2.28 kW
  • Daily Grid Feed-in
    4.50kWh
  • Monthly Grid Feed-in
    96.90kWh
  • Yearly Grid Feed-in
    119.30kWh
  • Total Grid Feed-in
    117.00kWh

  • Daily Electricity Purchasing
    2.80kWh
  • Monthly Electricity Purchasing
    23.00kWh
  • Yearly Electricity Purchasing
    31.40kWh
  • Total Electricity Purchasing
    34.00kWh
99%
  • Battery Power
    0.00 W
  • Daily Charge
    2.50kWh
  • Monthly Charge
    52.10kWh
  • Annual Charge
    83.80kWh
  • Total Charge
    87.00kWh

  • Daily Discharge
    3.10kWh
  • Monthly Discharge
    57.80kWh
  • Annual Discharge
    90.50kWh
  • Total Discharge
    94.00kWh
 
Hi The solar heating panel are NOT PV panels STs work by using heat exchange to warm your water tank If you have ever left
a hose pipe out in your garden on a sunny day when u use it the first few seconds the water insideof the coiled hose can be quite
hot That more or less is what the STs do PVs generate DC power which is converted by the Inverter to mains AC

I am told that rain helps clean however with Bird droppings Dust etc a soft cloth and soap and water will work a bit like any
glass i would guess Mine are on a bungalow so easy to get at

Re roof support I dont know mine is a standard A frame The installer on his first visit will let you know I do however know that slate roofs cost more

I have included my current usage below U can monitor ur solis online Its showing 2,8KW generation 300w being used by house battery fully charged and rest going to the grid ESB networks are doing well on a sunny thursday afternnon If I dont set up a diverter I will look at an IP wifi switch and remote on a heater or the Imersion or something else My system is less than a month old so its a new learning curve

Good luck



Generation
  • Production Power
    2.80 kW
  • Daily Production
    10.20kWh
  • Monthly Production
    248.50kWh
  • Yearly Production
    362.00kWh
  • Total Production
    352.00kWh
Consumption
  • Consumption Power
    301.00 W
  • Daily Consumption
    9.20kWh
  • Monthly Consumption
    168.40kWh
  • Yearly Consumption
    270.00kWh
  • Total Consumption
    280.00kWh
Grid-connected
  • Grid Power
    2.28 kW
  • Daily Grid Feed-in
    4.50kWh
  • Monthly Grid Feed-in
    96.90kWh
  • Yearly Grid Feed-in
    119.30kWh
  • Total Grid Feed-in
    117.00kWh

  • Daily Electricity Purchasing
    2.80kWh
  • Monthly Electricity Purchasing
    23.00kWh
  • Yearly Electricity Purchasing
    31.40kWh
  • Total Electricity Purchasing
    34.00kWh
99%
  • Battery Power
    0.00 W
  • Daily Charge
    2.50kWh
  • Monthly Charge
    52.10kWh
  • Annual Charge
    83.80kWh
  • Total Charge
    87.00kWh

  • Daily Discharge
    3.10kWh
  • Monthly Discharge
    57.80kWh
  • Annual Discharge
    90.50kWh
  • Total Discharge
    94.00kWh
Thanks so much. V interesting to see how you're benefiting from the system.
 
This is a great thread thank you. We have 6 panels already and considering adding to them. I spoke with a sales guy who
1. Informed me that we can only have a maximum of 20 because you can only feed so much back to the grid. I can’t find any collaborating evidence for this, has anyone heard of this upper limit? I am not limited by roof space so that's not it so I'm a tad skeptical.
2. He steered me away from a battery which he priced at €5k as he reckons, we'll use all we generate during the day (so kinda contradicts the feed-in comment above). Using solar to to charge an EV in the evening was part of our thinking hence the battery interest.
 
He is probably referring to single phase and three phase when he says you cannot put up more than 20 panels.
Most houses in Ireland run on single phase. You are limited to producing 6kw of electricity on single phase. (20*300w panels)

With the anticipated feed in tariff (micro-generation bill) it may not make sense to buy a battery. I have a battery and it's great but if there had been a feed in tariff at the time I installed then I probably wouldn't go for a battery. i.e without a feed in tariff battery recomended but with a feed in tariff I wouldn't bother.

Coming down the road you should be able to use your car's battery to power your house . Nissan are trialing this in a couple of countries at the moment. Leaf to Grid or Leaf to home
 
Yes the 20 panel max is making more sense now, so be it. The other thing is the company I'm on contact with said they are not willing to ADD to my system instead they will only install a new system leaving me with an additional inverter, is anyone familiar enough to offer a comment on this?
 
Can anyone recommenced a good company that isn't fully hard sell.

I had one guy in the house for 2 hours from active energy and just came across as a lot of baffle with BS and hard sell
Put me right off to be honest.

East West roof, I have room for batteries and put in a good solar hot water cylinder a few years ago to future proof, thinking PV with a divert to the hot water and potential for an EV charge point again future proofing more than for now.

Current heating and HW is gas Electricity is not nightsaver either so this may help too.
 
Hi Red Onion, I am very happy with the company that Installed my system. The owner and electrician used obviously work well together. They also had a good relationship with the SEAI Inspector which I found reassuring.

I don't think I can name the company on the main page but I'm ok to answer PM's if that's allowed.
Hi. Thanks for your great report. I am at the point of installing an almost identical system but am torn between suppliers. My first choice company is not responding to emails of calls so I must write them off. My second choice seems to have difficulty answering semi technical questions. I am being quoted similar prices to yours but who can I depend on? I'm not sure if this site supports PMs as I don't see a link to that.
 
Can anyone recommenced a good company that isn't fully hard sell.

I had one guy in the house for 2 hours from active energy and just came across as a lot of baffle with BS and hard sell
Put me right off to be honest.

East West roof, I have room for batteries and put in a good solar hot water cylinder a few years ago to future proof, thinking PV with a divert to the hot water and potential for an EV charge point again future proofing more than for now.

Current heating and HW is gas Electricity is not nightsaver either so this may help too.

Caldor Solar Ltd near Kilcock, knowledgable and exceptional installation, I'm South East/West two arrays, ask for Eoin.
 
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