Solar Citizens: Stories

When Jacob and his partner April bought their first home, getting solar panels installed was one of their first tasks. Eight months later, they still haven’t paid an electricity bill! 

The couple settled on a semi-detached home in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. While the building’s energy rating was less than they wanted, they knew there was significant potential to improve it – making the home cheaper to heat, more comfortable to live in and less reliant on fossil fuels.

Getting solar happened much quicker than they expected. Jacob received an ad from their electricity provider, asking if they were interested in solar panels, and the next day received a call. From there, it was a few short months before they had 14 solar panels installed on the roof!

Jacob was amazed at how easy the process was, with the company arranging everything from a surveyor to assess the home’s solar potential to applying for the government’s solar grant. While there was an upfront cost, the couple decided it was worth it. They both spend a significant time working at home and were planning on buying an electric vehicle, which would need to be charged. 

About 8 months on, they’ve consistently been able to generate more electricity than they use, which they sell back to the grid. That means their electricity bills have been zero. 

“I hear a lot in Ireland that solar panels aren’t really working because it’s never sunny. But I’m still not paying my electricity bills. It doesn’t need to be 30 degrees for them to work, as long as there’s a bit of sun!” Jacob says

Jacob uses an app to monitor how much electricity the solar panels are generating. This helps him time when to use energy-intensive appliances like the washing machine or when to charge their electric vehicle. 

So far, they are the only couple in their estate with solar panels, but Jacob is hopeful that the money they’re saving will help encourage others to make the switch too. The estate is not connected to gas, so solar panels are a great way for residents to get cheaper, cleaner electricity. 

Meanwhile, there’s lots more Jacob and April want to do to improve their home’s energy efficiency, including putting new windows in and installing a heat pump. “I’m trying to make our home as efficient as I can afford. It feels really good to be able to do your bit and I also feel a bit more secure and set up for the future.”

Jacob’s advice to other first home-buyers interested in solar? Do more research! There is a lot of advice on online groups that can be helpful when you’re starting your journey. For example, Jacob only learnt after installation that if they want to install a battery down the track, they will need a different inverter. “I made a few mistakes along my journey, so definitely ask questions!” he says.

Hackett’s Bar is one of West Cork’s oldest, most iconic pubs. Getting solar is one way the team is making sure they can keep serving their local community well into the future.

Like many small businesses, Hackett’s Bar had watched their electricity bill triple over the last few years. The team decided to install rooftop solar panels at the pub to help bring costs down, while also making their business more sustainable. 

After a few months of research and ringing around, they got Cork-based company Solar Paths to install the system in June this year. Now, 18 solar panels generate electricity during the day and a 24 kilowatt battery gives a boost when needed, charging overnight when electricity is cheapest from the grid.

Already, they’ve seen a huge reduction in their bill, with the pub generating more electricity than they’re buying. “I was amazed at how much we were selling back and we haven’t had the system that long,” says ownerAlpie Kanburoglu. “For a lot of businesses, getting solar makes total sense.”

Installing this new energy system is all part of the team’s commitment to making sure they stick around for another couple of hundred years. They want the pub to be as economic and sustainable as possible, without changing the character of the building that gives it its charm.

Earlier this year, they updated the iconic pub front to get rid of holes and improve its insulation. They recently bought an electric van and have improved the energy efficiency of the pub’s appliances, with smart meters and timers that turn things off overnight. “We’re not 100% net zero, but as close as we can probably get it at this stage. It’s a never ending project!” Alpie says.

With solar energy gaining momentum across West Cork, the local community in Schull has been a part of Hackett’s journey every step of the way.

“I think people seeing that kind of investment in the building and us going green has been a very positive thing. It all gives the vision of a green future and that we’ll be here for a long time,” says Alpie.

Kevin owns a glass-fitting business in Cork, which requires his team to travel up to 600km a week. Investing in electric vehicles and solar panels has been a game-changer, slashing both his fuel and energy bills.

Kevin’s business, based in Carrigaline, covers a wide geographic area, which is why fuel costs are so important. 

Before he made the switch to EVs and solar, the average fuel cost across the business was €120 a week. His latest energy bill – which includes charging an electric van and car, and powering his home – was just €40.

Initially, he installed 10 rooftop solar panels and a 5kwt battery system in 2023. Last year, he decided to add 10 more solar panels and is in the process of increasing his battery capacity to 20 kwt.  

Through this journey, Kevin has gained a deep insight into both the benefits and challenges of solar. For one, he’s seen the cost of installing solar fall dramatically. Battery storage is the real game changer for his business – helping him to generate power during sunlight hours and store it for later use when he needs it. During the power outage last year, he was even able to take power from his EV to power the house. 

A source of irritation is the reducing value of feedback tariffs from his energy provider, meaning he is getting less and less money back for the energy he sends back into the grid. “I should be able to have the full benefit of the excess energy I produce,” Kevin says.

Kevin has noticed there are a lot of frustrating conspiracy theories and disinformation circulating about solar power, especially EVs. 

“I’ve lost count of how often I have had to correct fake news and persuade people that conspiracies are not true. I find that many people are easily persuaded when they see my setup and hear me explain how it works. I know several other small businesses that have switched to solar as a result of a solid conversation and having the chance to allay their fears and misconceptions.”

All in all, switching to solar has been transformational for Kevin and he thinks there should be more state support to make it easier for people to generate and store their own solar energy, when they need it and to be less reliant on corporations that are ultimately focused on making profits at any cost. 

He loves the fact that he no longer is relying on dirty fuel, that his energy costs have plummeted and that he is self reliant.