Here, we'll go over all the main components, what they do, and how the entire system functions both when the panels are generating during the day and when they are off at night.
There are 5 main components to a home electric solar panel system:
Let's go through each one.
The main part! The solar panels produce DC (direct current) electricity at varying voltages (depending on the conditions and how they are connected). They work both in direct sunshine and on cloudy days too.
The first part of the installation is fitting the roof mounting system. It's essentially a large frame that's mounted to your roof to hold the solar panels. It can be installed on almost any type of roof, although some are easier than others. We'll always inspect your roof in person before finalising the system design to ensure the mounting plan is suitable.
The DC electricity produced by the panels needs to be changed to AC (alternating current) for your house to use. That's the main role of the inverter. Your solar panels also produce a varying voltage depending on the sun's strength, and it's the inverter's job to convert that to a nice consistent 240V which your house runs at.
The inverter is also the brains of the system. It controls where the power flows to and from, logs all the data, and sends it out to the various apps you can monitor your system.
An optional part of the system is a storage battery. South-facing panels will produce the most electricity during the middle of the day, whereas most households use more in the mornings and evenings. The idea of the storage battery is to store the excess power from the middle of the day to use during those peak consumption times later on.
You might hear the term "hybrid inverter". That's an inverter that can also connect to storage batteries, so you'll need a hybrid inverter if you have storage batteries. Again, the inverter is the brains of the operation, controlling when the battery is charged and discharged.
Other options for using the excess electricity include a hot water diverter, or selling the power back to the grid.
Another use of excess electricity is to heat your hot water tank through an immersion heater. We certainly can install one if you wish, but heads up that we generally don't recommend these any more for most people. Since the advent of smart meter tariff plans, they are poor value for money for most people.
Domestic PV solar systems are highly efficient, automatically diverting electricity to optimize the use of the power you generate.
Electricity from your solar panels is first used to run your home. The electricity always goes here before anything else like charging a storage battery or hot water diverters.
If your solar panels are generating more electricity than your home needs, any excess power will be used to charge your storage battery, if you have one.
If you still have excess power after meeting all the previous needs, the hot water diverter (an optional component of a solar PV installation) will activate. Any surplus electricity that your home doesn't need, and that doesn't go into a fully charged battery, will be redirected to an immersion heater in your hot water tank, creating hot water for later use.
Certain models of electric car chargers (for example, the Zappi EV car charger) can be connected to your solar PV system and set so that they take any overflow excess power. This is a great way to use any spare electricity, as the car charger will turn on and off automatically to soak up any unused electricity.
The final option for unused electricity generated by your panels is to send it to the grid for others to use.
Ireland has a feed-in tariff, which means you'll be paid for any excess electricity you send back to the grid. The rates vary depending on your electricity supplier.
If your home needs more power than your panels are generating, the system will top it up firstly by drawing from the battery, and then from the grid. The system can use all three sources of electricity at the same time.
Based on your Eircode and a few other bits of information from you, we will send you a free initial quote and design proposal. Using satellite imagery of your house, we can generate a pretty accurate design including price, electricity production forecasts, what grant you might get and how long it will take for your PV system to pay for itself. All we need from you is this quick and easy form.
The next step is for one of our engineers to come and view your property. They will discuss everything with you in detail, and will inspect everything from your roof to your electrics. Based on this, we may make some improvements to your design to make sure it fits your exact needs.
Within a day or two, we will send you a full system design proposal along with a finalised quote. Your solar engineer will follow up to go through everything with you and answer any questions you may have.
How to charge your electric car using energy from your own solar panels.
How to build your own solar panels to heat a hot tub or paddling pool at home.
Everything you need to know about electric car chargers, pros and cons.
Easy wins. Simple tips and tricks to reduce your next energy bill.
How to make money by selling your excess solar electricity back to the grid.
The definitive guide to solar grants [2024]. What you get, how to apply, and more.
A look at the evolution of solar energy from 1839 to the present day.
What are solar immersion diverters, and are they right for your home?
Not all homes are right for solar. Here's how to know if yours is one of them.
The science behind solar panels and how they generate energy.
From sand to high-tech on your roof: a look at how solar PV panels are made
Solar PV components explained. The must-haves and the added extras.
The ultimate guide to PV solar panels (the ones that generate electricity).
Costs and results: a one-man mission to slash the carbon footprint at home.
In-depth: the optimal angle and orientation of your roof for solar panels.
The ultimate solar battery savings calculator. Will a PV battery save you money?
Our step-by-step guide to completing your SEAI solar PV grant application [2024].
How to save big money using smart meter plans, solar panels and solar batteries.
The 2024 calculator: find out how many solar panels are right for your house.
Q&A: what are solar inverters, what do they do and why do you need one?
Solar installations 101. A no-nonsense guide to solar jargon and terminology.
Myth-busting the 10 biggest misconceptions about solar power.
What happens when a solar panel reaches the end of its lifecycle?
What you need to know about how solar panels are fixed to your roof.
What solar panels cost & what you'll save, both in Euros and CO2 footprint
Panels in shadow and shade? Our guide to what causes shading and how to avoid it.
Pros and cons of storage batteries, what they cost, case studies and more.
Differences, pros and cons of solar thermal systems vs solar PV systems.
All about the VAT rate on domestic solar panel supply and installation (0%).