Solar Power

Our location in north-eastern Europe means that we have a lot of potential for solar energy. In spite of the relatively high number of days that it rains and is generally overcast, enough daylight hours and day with sunshine make solar a feasible option for generating renewable energy for Irish homes and businesses.

Generally, electricity demand is greatest during the daytime, with peak demand occurring between 5pm and 7pm. An increase in solar generation would displace some of the need for fossil fuel back-up when wind is unable to satisfy demand.

A typical solar panel will save over 900kg of CO2 per year that results in a carbon payback period of ~ 1.6 years. As solar panels have an expected life of 25 years, even in areas where the sun’s radiation is received at less than 550kWh per m2, a typical solar panel takes around 6 years to pay back its energy cost. It takes 6-8 acres of land to generate roughly 1 MW of solar energy.

The two main types of solar energy are: solar thermal and solar PV (photovoltaic). Solar farms use solar PV to generate electricity and export this to the national grid, less than 1% of our electricity is generated from solar. This presents a significant opportunity to increase the share of solar to the national grid.

Solar energy is simply radiant light from the sun that can be harnessed. It is inexhaustible and renewable since it comes from the sun. Solar energy is harnessed using Photovoltaic solar cells which convert sunlight directly into an electric current. It offers many benefits that make it one of the most promising energy forms. Renewable, non-polluting and available planet-wide, it contributes to sustainable development and job creation where it is installed. Solar PV modules are relatively easy to maintain and are silent.