Answers hub
Solar, explained plainly.
Plain answers to the questions Irish homeowners ask about solar: prices, batteries, the SEAI grant and export payments. 70 answers, each showing when it was last reviewed. Browse by topic, or search in your own words.
Prices & Quotes
October 2026 price rises: does solar or a battery pay back faster now?What should solar panels actually cost in Ireland?How many quotes should I get, and how do I compare them fairly?Is a small system (6 panels or so) even worth installing?A quote came in much cheaper than the others — can I trust it?Is it normal to be charged for a solar or heat pump quote?Did the VAT cut and falling panel prices actually make solar cheaper?I switched to a smart/EV tariff and got hit with "level pay" and a higher standing charge — what's going on?
Batteries & Storage
Do I actually need a battery with my solar panels?What size battery should I get for an average Irish home?Will a solar battery ever pay for itself?Should I get an AC-coupled or DC-coupled battery?Can I add a battery to my solar system later, or do I have to decide now?Can I mix battery brands, and what specs actually matter?Should I be on a day/night rate if I have a battery?Does a battery help with summer 'clipping' from an oversized array?I've been quoted a 16–20 kWh battery — is that overkill?I was told not to export from my battery because it "uses up cycles" and could void the warranty — is that right?Is it cheaper to add a battery at install or later?What use is a battery in winter when there is barely any solar?
Choosing an Installer
How do I choose a good solar installer?Can I get a changeover switch so my solar works in a power cut?My RCBO keeps tripping since the solar was installed — what's going on?Can I retrofit optimisers or batteries to a system I already have?My install keeps getting delayed and the company has gone quiet — is this normal?How do I avoid a bad or 'cowboy' installer?My installer wants to swap the panels I was quoted (e.g. Aiko) for a different brand (e.g. Longi) due to "short supply" — is that okay?
SEAI Grant
How much is the SEAI solar grant?What do I need to qualify for the SEAI solar grant?Does the SEAI grant cover batteries, diverters and other extras?Do I need a BER, and should I get it before or after installing solar?Should I do insulation or a heat pump before solar, given the grants?Are installers just inflating prices to soak up the grant?What are NC6 and NC7, and do I need to upgrade my grid connection for a big solar/battery system?I've heard the solar grant is being cut. Should I install before the end of 2026?
Selling Power Back
How do I actually get paid for the electricity I export?Do I need a smart meter to get paid for exporting?What's the difference between 'deemed' and 'metered' export?Is tax payable on the money I earn from exporting solar?My export readings have gaps or look wrong — what can I do?What happens to my export payments if I switch electricity supplier?What is dynamic electricity pricing and should I move to it now that I have solar?Which electricity supplier gives the best export (CEG) rate right now, and how do I choose?Can my solar export credits pay my gas bill?
Inverters & Kit
How many panels can I fit on a 5kW inverter?What does an optimiser do and do I actually need one?Are micro-inverters better than a single string or hybrid inverter?Should I get a string inverter or a hybrid inverter?Is a premium inverter brand worth the extra money?My inverter is showing no generation — what should I check first?Can an inverter be too big for my array?I've been told a Solis/Dyness system isn't "AI-ready" for dynamic pricing — is that true?Installers are quoting me a "premium" system (Sigenergy, Anker, EcoFlow) versus a cheaper Solis/Dyness one — what's the real difference?
Hot Water
Is a hot water diverter (like an Eddi) worth getting?Solar thermal panels or PV with a diverter — which is better for hot water?How many solar panels do I need just to heat my hot water?My Eddi isn't heating the water properly — what's wrong?Is a cheap night rate immersion timer better than a solar diverter?I have a gas combi boiler and no hot water tank — can I still use solar for hot water?Can solar panels heat my whole home, not just the water?
Output & Performance
How much will solar realistically cut my electricity bills?How bad is solar generation in an Irish winter?How much do roof orientation and shading affect output?How do I monitor my solar system's output?Will optimisers actually improve my system's performance?Is solar worth it if I have a heat pump or an EV?Can I charge my EV from solar with a granny charger (no Zappi)?Can solar panels go over roof vents or tile vents?Pigeons are nesting under my panels — how do I stop it, and should I have bird-proofing fitted?How do I automatically charge my battery and EV when electricity is cheapest?