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Generating electricity from solar
The term ‘solar panel’ is often used interchangeably to describe the panels that generate electricity and those that generate hot water.
Solar panels that produce hot water are known as solar thermal collectors or solar hot water collectors. Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. These panels generate DC electricity when exposed to light.
Installation of domestic solar PV system
A domestic solar PV system consists of a number of solar panels mounted to your roof (or in your garden) and connected into the electrical loads within your building. The solar panels generate DC (direct current – like a battery) electricity, which is then converted in an inverter to AC (alternating current – like the electricity in your domestic socket). Solar PV systems are rated in kilowatts (kW). A 1kW solar PV system would require 3 or 4 solar panels on your roof.
Any excess electricity produced can be stored in a battery, or other storage solution like your hot water immersion tank. It can also be exported from your house into the electrical network on your street.
New Build
New builds are the ideal time to install Solar PV panels and will help with building regulations while providing you with renewable energy for your new home.
Commercial & Farm
Choosing a Solar PV solution is not only good for the environment, it’s good for your Business too. Installing a Solar PV system will allow you to reduce your costs.
Battery
Battery energy storage systems are used for larger solar PV systems, so that the excess electricity generated during daytime hours can be used at another time. This new technology is only installed in certain suitable homes or businesses.
If you own your own home and you are looking to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home to an A-rated home, our Deep Retrofit grant might be for you.
Caldor Energy Solutions in collaboration with SEAI are giving homeowners up to 60% funding for upgrading houses to an A3 rating.
As housing continues to pose significant energy efficiency challenges in Ireland, SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) have created the Deep Retrofit Pilot Programme to tackle it.
This programme aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit which will help increase the efficiency of older homes, to reach the level of those built to current standards.
Deep Retrofitting involves a substantial upgrade of a building so that it moves towards zero energy requirements or a significant reduction in the energy required within a building. Deep retrofitting looks at the entire building and a tailored solution is designed for each property which considers all aspects such as building fabric, air tightness, ventilation and renewable energy sources.
Funding Available
The National Mitigation Plan commits a total of €21.2m between 2017 and 2019 with an initial €5 million in 2017 to support this pilot.
The SEAI have committed to funding up to 60% of the total capital costs and project management costs combined and will provide funding to projects which demonstrate an integrated, comprehensive strategy for significantly improving home energy performance.
What is deep retrofit?
Deep retrofit is just another term for an extensive home energy upgrade. There are multiple benefits to carrying out a home energy upgrade. It will result in a warmer, cosier home with an improved BER rating. Research has shown that a warmer home also benefits overall health and wellbeing. Since your home will be much more energy efficient, your heating bills should also be lower.
A deep retrofit takes a whole-house approach to energy in the home. This involves carrying out multiple energy efficient measures such as wall insulation, attic insulation, replacing windows and doors and assessing air tightness & ventilation. Deep retrofit also looks at installing renewable energy technologies in the home.
To complete a deep retrofit project, a lot of work will be undertaken in your home. In some cases, the level of work might feel similar in scale to an extension being built to a property.
Proper ventilation improves the air quality in the home. It is very important for both the building’s health and the occupant’s health. As the overall airtightness of your home is important, ensuring that there is adequate ventilation is even more important – to improve the indoor air quality and reduce the possibility of any condensation or mould.
If your home is going to be fully insulated and new windows and doors are going to be installed to eliminate draughts and air leakages, then a new ventilation system will be required as part of the works. Typically, either a Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system or a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system will be required.
What difference will I notice with a new ventilation system?
Proper ventilation removes stale air and odours and ensures that fresh air is circulated throughout your home at all times. This does not mean that your home will be colder or draughty, but the warm air will not be harmful for your health.
You may be able to hear air coming in through the vents, which is normal. If you choose, and when the weather permits, fresh air can also be provided naturally by opening a window.
Charge Your Electric Vehicle With FREE Energy From The Sun. Your EV charger can be configured to work in conjunction with your PV panels.
A home charge point is usually installed on an external wall of the house and electric car charging is facilitated through your domestic electricity supply.
