UPDATE!! SEAI Grants 2022: A bittersweet update from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

February 14, 2022

A bittersweet update from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as we move into a new phase of domestic solar PV. Back in October 2021, we published a blog post on the highly anticipated changes to the SEAI grants reportedly coming into affect in 2022. If you haven’t read this post, we strongly recommend you take the time to do so. You will learn about the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme set to be introduced this year; with the primary objective of compensating homeowners for the clean energy they produce and subsequently export back to the grid. Additionally, you will

Are solar panels worth it in Ireland?

October 12, 2021

Are solar panels worth it in Ireland? It’s a frequently asked question. Considering a solar panel in the south of Spain receives over twice the solar irradiance we do here in Ireland: How much do you need for it to be a worthwhile investment? The short answer is that most homes in Ireland do receive enough solar energy – light is sufficient, it doesn’t need to be direct sunlight – to make it a worthwhile investment. And that’s before the environmental benefits are factored in. For the longer answer, please read on… How much electricity will solar panels generate? This

Creating Wealth for Irish Energy Citizens

October 12, 2021

I’ve just finished listening to a new episode of the excellent Five Degrees of Change podcast by Daniel Murray at the Business Post. For those not familiar with the format, an expert in climate, energy and environment is invited to outline three policy proposals and two personal changes they believe would make for a cleaner, greener world. A recent guest was Mark Foley, CEO of Eirgrid. We’re lucky to have someone of Mark’s calibre overseeing one of, if not the most important piece of infrastructure in the country. The analogy of the road system that Mark uses to illustrate Eirgrid’s remit is helpful, but possibly understates the importance of the work – the morning congestion on the M7 is not an option for any electricity grid. That said, I’d like to explore a point

Can you get an electric car charger at home?

October 12, 2021

Electric cars are only increasing in popularity as more and more people are looking to reduce both their motoring costs and their environmental impact. An electric vehicle (EV) runs off a charger that can be installed in your home. Nearly one in four of those surveyed in the National Travel Survey stated that they would be interested in buying an electric vehicle. This was due to a variety of reasons. Better affordability to run was by far the most common influencing factor at 77.8%, followed by making more of a contribution to a better environment at 71.8%. More availability of overnight charging at

The Smart Meter rollout has begun! and the new Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme is on its way

October 8, 2021

Back in May 2021 we published a blog post on the much anticipated changes to the current pilot support scheme for domestic solar. The grant currently available from SEAI (up to €3000) towards the cost of installing a solar PV system continues to prove very popular. Further support is being provided by ESB Networks who have made the commitment to getting a smart meter installed in every home with solar PV within 4 months of notification. You will learn the significance of having a smart meter in your home throughout this article. On the other hand, a payment scheme for

Solar PV vs Solar Thermal: Comparing which is the better investment

June 11, 2021

Both solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal panels use the same source of energy – the sun. However, they have different purposes. So when it comes to solar PV vs solar thermal, which is the better investment?

Is the SEAI Solar PV Grant Ending Soon? Micro-generation Support Scheme

May 31, 2021

Driven by an EU directive, a new support scheme is currently being developed to encourage greater adoption of low-carbon electricity generation by home and business owners using technologies like solar panels in Ireland. The public consultation for the scheme that took place in February is currently under review. The scheme, which will replace the current pilot scheme offering a grant of up to €3000, is expected to commence in July of 2021 according to the consultation. However, a date is yet to be confirmed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. What is micro-generation? According to gov.ie, micro-generation is

Do Solar Panels Work on a Cloudy Day?

April 16, 2021

Do solar panels work on a cloudy day? The short answer is yes, they will. Read on to understand how and why they will still work.

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