The full process, from Start to Finish
Interested in getting solar installed at home? Here's the full process, from start to finish to take you from just curious to generating your own free, clean energy.
Interested in getting solar installed at home? Here's the full process, from start to finish to take you from just curious to generating your own free, clean energy.
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.
The next step is to apply to ESB Networks to let them know that a PV Solar system is being installed. We'll take care of that for you. It usually takes around 20 days for the application to be approved by ESB Networks.
We are an SEAI approved PV installation company, so the installation costs are eligible for a grant for most households. Now is the time to apply for the grant. You'll need to have that application approved before any works can take place. Don't worry, the process is quite straight forward and we are here to help you through it all. You can also use our SEAI Solar PV Grant Application Guide to help you with your application. More info on this grant can be found on our SEAI Solar Grant Guide page.
Before now, everything was free and there was no commitment. It's time now to set things in stone. The deposit (normally 40%) would be due and it's time to plan a good time for our team to come and install your new PV solar system. The solar installation process normally takes around 2 days.
The day has come. Our installation team will attend and install your solar PV equipment on the roof. Then our electricians will install the electrical equipment inside the house and connect it all together.
"Commissioning" is the fancy term for turning your new solar system on! The sun needs to be up to do that so we can do all the required tests. If it's too close to sunset on installation day then we'll pop back to officially commission the system. Once it's officially running then the balance would be due.
Flick on the kettle and start enjoying free, clean electricity. We'll be in touch to check that you're happy with every aspect of the service & run through the performance numbers with you.
As soon as your system is up and running we let the SEAI know so they can process your grant. Usually it takes them 4-6 weeks before the money is in your account.
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.
In our proposals, as well as those from our competitors, you'll find detailed information, including predictions for potential electricity generation and financial savings. Generation, in particular, is required by the SEAI (the people who give out the grants), so you should find that on every quote you get.
We want to clarify the assumptions made so you know the amount of salt you need to add to the various figures.
Although production figures are only ever indicative, you can expect them to provide a reasonable guide. We do have to make a lot of assumptions here, and factors such as weather and shading are two variables that can affect your end output quite a bit. That said, we include a lot in the predictions that are specific to your home — the exact panel type, your location in the country (further north means less sun, we take that into account), the angle of your roof, the direction the panels are facing, typical inverter losses and more. So, they'll never be exact, but they should be in the right ballpark.
These are more speculative. There's a huge amount of assumptions we have to make, and your case may differ very significantly. So take these figures with a good dose of caution, they're notoriously hard to predict with total accuracy.
One of the main issues is usage patterns vs. generation patterns. With smart meters, electricity prices vary hugely throughout the day. Your patterns of generation and usage might mean that you are offsetting a large quantity of peak-rate units — great for you, as you are making a big saving. Your neighbour, with the same system, might be offsetting mainly low-rate units, so their savings could be a fraction of yours.
Here you have the greatest influence through which tariff you are on, and how you use your set-up. A "night boost" unit might be ¼ of the price of a normal day unit. So, someone who opts for those tariffs with their utility supplier, who then uses their battery to charge up every night at those super cheap rates, suddenly gets more than double the financial gain from their battery.
As always, we are only too happy to help — if you have questions about how to set up and use your system for the most financial benefit, please just ask.
Have a look — there's no sales team. We don't believe in the hard-sell. Instead, we trust that giving the best information in the clearest terms will make us the best option out there. These are our people and that's what makes us PureVolt Solar. We are currently recruiting. If you'd like to become part of the PureVolt Solar team, take a look at our current openings...
John started his career as a carpenter and roofer working along Ireland's west coast. With a passion for renewable energy, he was a perfect fit for PureVolt and, as soon as we heard about his skills and outlook, we asked him to join our Galway and West Ireland team as a senior roofer and panels installer.
After graduating from university, Lorcan started work in commercial construction. But he soon realised that his true passion lay in working with his hands on projects that benefit the wider community. That immediately singled him out as a perfect fit for PureVolt Solar, and we were delighted to bring him on board as an electrical apprentice.
With a background in accounting and finance, it was in the churn and change of Covid-19 that Luke discovered a hidden passion for construction and renewable energy. And it is this passion which continues to fuel him as he progresses through his apprenticeship as a valued member of the PureVolt team.
With 18 years' experience as an electrician, James first developed an interest in solar energy while working in Europe, where he saw firsthand the environmental and economic benefits of switching to renewables. Today, James is sharing his passion for clean energy in his role as senior electrician on our Galway & West Ireland team.
Despite his background in science and engineering, it was as an entrepreneur and angel investor that Phil found his passion. While switching to an electric car and solar PV electricity, he saw the appeal of a company that offers clear information in an open, honest and transparent way. That's when PureVolt Solar was born.
As head of installations, Daniel oversees the commissioning of all solar PV systems for PureVolt. His journey began as a service engineer for CHP gas engines in 2014, but his passion for renewables led him to become an electrician and enter the world of solar technology.
Although her background is in experimental physics, Eileen's true passion is centred around business, entrepreneurship, and social enterprises. As our general manager, she oversees everything to do with finance, HR, marketing and procurement.
It was from his native Chile that Gonzalo brought to Ireland his expertise in engineering and sustainable energy. If you submit an enquiry, it is Gonzalo who will propose your initial solar design. With a keen interest in the latest developments in solar tech, Gonzalo embodies our commitment to creating a greener Ireland.
Gary's carpentry skills took him as far as Canada and Australia before he returned to Ireland and repurposed his roofing skills as a solar panels installer. Today, Gary heads our installation teams both in the west and the east of Ireland.
If you go ahead with a detailed quote, it will probably be Ian who visits you. He will inspect your roof, your electrics and anything that could affect solar performance. You can expect Ian to be open, honest and transparent: if solar is not the best solution for you right now, it's Ian's job to say so.
With a background in his family's own roofing business, Nathan says a head for heights is in his DNA. But two other things are equally core to his being. The first is a passion for seeing Ireland go green. The second is dogs: if you have a friendly pooch, Nathan will be its friend for life by the time your installation is completed.
PureVolt was founded to make a difference, not to make a profit. That's why all of our profits go to put free solar panels on the roofs of charities and good causes. Find out more...
We're not the cheapest of the cheap. Our prices reflect good value, top workmanship and great service. No compromises on quality.
We hire experts in solar, not experts in sales tactics. We ask them to give you the best information about solar, and nothing else.
Any issues, we're here to help. We have a dedicated maintenance team to resolve any issues that may occur in the future. It's part of what you've paid for.
We don't dabble. Installing solar panels is what we do, and we're very good at it. But don't take our word for it, check out our reviews...
From your initial enquiry to installation and beyond, we won't leave you waiting. Ask us how our installation teams work.
By buying and installing your solar panels with us, you will be eligible to apply for the SEAI Solar Electricity Grant. This provides up to €1,800 toward the cost of your solar PV installation.
There is a lot more to solar than just fixing some PV panels to your roof. We use specialist solar design software to get exactly the right solution for you and your home.
Your solar journey should be as smooth as possible. That's why we only work with SEAI registered solar panel installers. We don't have a sales team. Everyone who works for us is an experienced engineer who can speak to you in plain English.
When it comes to solar, there should be no repeat customers. That's because, when we install your system, it should last for a generation. Our solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer's warranty as standard. Other parts and labour are also guaranteed. This is a long-term investment and if you need help, we're here for the long haul.
The safety and security of your home is very important to us. That's why we carry a minimum of €5 million of Public and Product Liability Insurance, as well as €500,000 of Professional Indemnity Insurance and €13.5 million of Employer's Liability Insurance.
Switching to solar electricity should make you feel good. And it's our job to make that happen. At PureVolt Solar, we don't have any professional salespeople. We just have experienced engineers who want to do a good job before, during and after your installation. No exceptions.
Our prices are simple and straightforward, so you will always know exactly what you're spending and exactly what you're getting. No hidden costs, no unpleasant surprises.
If you're looking for a flashy sales rep, we can't help you, sorry. With PureVolt Solar, you'll be dealing with skilled engineers who believe in solar and can answer your questions in plain English.
If your home isn't suitable for solar or battery storage, we'll say so. If we mess something up, we'll hold our hands up straight away and put things right. No matter the situation, you can expect us to be 100% upfront and honest. It's written into our core values.
We're a small team of self-confessed tech nerds, and we only work with the best technologies available. That goes for their value and their performance. In a fast-changing industry, we want you to have peace of mind that you're getting the very best products available. They're the only products we offer.