Solar Panel Systems – The Basics
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) systems harness sunlight to generate electricity for your home or business. Here's a closer look at the essential components that make up a typical system:
Solar Panels
Solar panels are made up of multiple solar cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Panels are typically mounted on your roof, ideally facing south, to maximise sun exposure throughout the day.
Modern solar panels are highly efficient and designed to work even in Irish weather conditions, producing energy even on cloudy days and in the winter months.
Inverters
The electricity generated by solar panels is Direct Current (DC), but your home appliances use alternating current (AC). A standard inverter converts solar energy into AC so it can power your household appliances.
Hybrid inverters incorporate built-in compatibility for battery storage. That means if you decide to add a battery later, your system is already set up for it.
Our Hybrid inverters also feature intuitive mobile apps that let you track both your solar generation and household energy use in real time.
Other Solar PV Technology
Beyond panels and basic inverters, a modern solar PV system can include optional technologies that increase efficiency, flexibility, and energy savings.
Solar Batteries
A battery stores unused solar electricity for use in the evening or on overcast days. Batteries can also be set to charge during certain hours of the day.
Solgrid provides an extensive range of battery storage solutions to suit your energy use.
If you already have solar panels, we can retrofit battery storage after your initial system installation.
EV Chargers
A smart EV charger can power your car directly from your solar panels, cutting down on fuel costs, emissions and time spent at the chargers (don't forget the cost of the coffee).
Our EV chargers can be scheduled to charge using free solar energy during the day or low-cost electricity at night, depending on your needs.
Hot Water Diverters
Instead of sending surplus solar energy back to the grid, a hot water diverter channels it to your immersion heater, heating your water with free solar energy.
During sunny months when water heating can be fully covered in this way, you can lower your energy usage even further.
Adding to Your Existing Solar PV
If your household energy needs have increased, for example, due to a growing family or the addition of an EV, we can expand your current solar system with:
- Additional panels
- Battery storage
- EV charger
- Hot water diverter
Back-up Power During Grid Outages
Most standard home solar PV systems in Ireland are grid-tied. This means they automatically shut down during a power outage for safety reasons, to protect ESB crews working on the lines.
To maintain power during an outage, you’ll need a hybrid solar PV system with battery storage and backup switching. This can be achieved through an Emergency Power Supply (EPS) and a Manual Transfer Switch, which keeps essential circuits or loads running in your home.
There are various options for these systems that Solgrid offers. Your ideal solution will depend on many factors, like:
- Your energy needs during an outage
- The size of your system
- What you would like to achieve with your system in general
Solar Consultation with Trusted Solar Experts
It is always best to have a solar consultation with us to determine what is best for your home energy needs. Our experts have the experience to determine your ideal solar solution. Whether you're starting with a basic system or planning for future upgrades, we tailor every solution to suit your needs.
The Complete Solar Panel Guide