From "Ireland doesn't get enough sun" to "they don't work in winter" — the myths we hear most, and what is actually true.
1. Ireland does not get enough sun
The most common one, and it misunderstands how panels work. Photovoltaic cells convert daylight, not heat or direct sunshine. Ireland gets broadly comparable daylight hours to parts of Germany, which has one of the largest installed solar bases in the world.
2. They do not work in winter
They generate less in winter — shorter days, lower sun angle — but they do not stop. Output across a year is what matters, and the summer surplus is what makes the annual figures work.
3. You need planning permission
Not since October 2021 for most homes. The exceptions are protected structures and a small number of zones near airports. Worth checking early if your house is listed, but for the overwhelming majority of Irish homes there is nothing to apply for.
4. The roof needs to face due south
South is optimal. East and west-facing roofs still work, and an east-west split can suit a household that uses power in the morning and evening better than a single south-facing array.
5. Panels need constant cleaning
Irish rain does most of it. In a climate with our rainfall, self-cleaning is genuinely adequate for the majority of installations.
6. The grant covers everything
It does not. €1,800 is the maximum for panels and installation, pro-rata by system size. Batteries and diverters are not covered.
7. You need a battery
You do not need one, but it changes the economics. Without storage, power you generate and do not use goes to the grid. A battery lets you use more of your own generation and shift consumption onto cheaper night rates.
8. It will damage the roof
A properly specified mounting system should not. On older roofs, condition is assessed at survey — that is what the survey is for, and it is a reason to be wary of anyone quoting from a satellite image.
9. Bigger is always better
Oversizing means paying for generation you export cheaply rather than use. Sizing should follow your actual consumption, which is why we ask for your bills.
10. It is a disruptive installation
Most domestic installations take one to two days, with the roof work and the electrical work running in parallel.