At Gerry McGrath Tyres in Loughrea, investing in solar panels is helping power the business more efficiently while keeping energy costs firmly under control.
Working with Solgrid, the local tyre retailer installed a 29.67 kWp commercial solar PV system designed to significantly reduce reliance on grid electricity. The system is forecast to generate 26,402 kWh of clean electricity every year, enabling the business to produce over half of its own electricity requirements and reduce exposure to rising energy prices.
Key Metrics for this Solar PV Project
System Overview
System Size: 29.67 kWp
Panels Installed: 69 × JA Solar 430W
Inverter: Huawei 20 kW Hybrid Inverter
Battery Storage: 15 kWh
Annual PV Production: 26,402 kWh
Direct Consumption of Power: 77%
Self-Sufficiency Level: 53%
Electricity Exported to Grid: 6,092 kWh per year
Financial Performance
Internal Rate of Return (IRR): 24.93%
Payback Period: 4 Years, 2 Months
Electricity Production Cost: €0.13/kWh
System Details
The installation features 69 high-efficiency JA Solar panels, paired with a Huawei 20 kW hybrid inverter and 15 kWh of battery storage. This advanced setup ensures that excess solar energy generated during the day can be stored and used later when demand is highest, maximising the value of every unit of electricity produced.
With 76.9% of the solar energy consumed on-site, the system has been carefully designed to match the business’s electricity profile and maximise self-consumption. This allows Gerry McGrath Tyres to offset a significant portion of its annual electricity usage of approximately 38,000 kWh while maintaining a strong level of energy independence.
Financial Performance
From a financial perspective, the project delivers impressive returns. Supported by an SEAI NDMG grant, the solar installation is expected to achieve a payback period of just over 4 years and deliver an Internal Rate of Return of 24.93%. Over the system's lifetime, the system is projected to generate over 6 times it's cost in accrued cash flow through energy savings and export revenue, demonstrating the strong financial case for commercial solar panels.
Environmental Impact
Beyond the financial benefits, the system is also making a meaningful environmental impact.
Carbon Savings:
9,877 kg CO₂ saved per annum; 296,310 kg over product lifetime of 30 years
Yearly Equivalencies:
Trees planted: 163
Coal saved: 3,953 kg
KMs avoided: 39,508 km
Solgrid was proud to partner with Gerry McGrath Tyres on this project. The installation was delivered safely and efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption to the business’s day-to-day operations. By combining high-quality equipment with expert system design, the result is a solar solution that will deliver reliable savings and sustainability benefits for decades to come.
For local businesses looking to future-proof their energy costs, this project demonstrates how commercial solar panels can provide both environmental and financial returns.