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Ask each installer for a written annual generation estimate based on your location, roof pitch, orientation and shading, with monthly figures showing the seasonal pattern. Also ask what happens during a power cut.
Quite a few of our neighbours have had solar panels installed and with the price of home heating oil rising all the time we are thinking of doing it ourselves. While we are paying huge prices, those neighbours seem very happy with their investment.
However I saw there were a series of raids by the energy regulator on the offices of solar panel companies recently in relation to a possible cartel and that has made me nervous about the whole thing. While it’s still an investigation and nothing has been proven, it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
If we talk to a solar installation company, they are clearly going to tell us it’s a good idea. But what do you think?
Our house is a regular estate type three-bed semi-d and we have oil-fired heating. The roof at the front faces to the east. I’m in my early 60s and hope to retire in three or four years. It’s just my wife and I and one of our daughters living at home.
What are the common mistakes people make?
How many panels should we get?
How much generally do they cost approximately and what grants are available?
If we get the standard number of panels how long do you think it will take for them to cover the cost?
Will it work with our oil-fired system or should we look at changing that also?
Is there any new technology coming that we should be aware of or perhaps should even wait for?
Any other advice you could give would be much appreciated.
Thank you, Richie
Solar panels could be a worthwhile investment for you, particularly if you expect to stay in your home throughout retirement.
But there is one distinction to make immediately: the usual rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, or PV, generate electricity. They will reduce your electricity purchases, rather than directly replacing the oil that heats your radiators.
Concerns
Your concern about the raids is understandable. However, they were conducted by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, not the energy regulator [exa.mn/sol]. The investigation concerns suspected bid-rigging involving public tenders. Searches do not establish wrongdoing, and neither do they show that domestic solar installations are inherently poor value. Treat the news as another reason to compare suppliers carefully.
SEAI maintains a register of solar PV companies, which you can search by county or company name. You must use an SEAI-registered company to qualify for its solar PV grant. It is important to remember that ‘registered’ does not mean SEAI approves, guarantees, or warranties the company’s work. SEAI does recommend getting at least four quotes, checking references and having a written contract.
You also need grant approval before installation begins.
Direct sun
Your east facing roof is certainly worth assessing. It produces more electricity in the morning. A west-facing rear roof could provide afternoon and evening generation. Splitting panels between both slopes can spread production across the day, although annual output will generally be lower than if you had a roomy south-facing installation. Neighbouring buildings, roof condition, chimney shadows, and usable space all matter too.
How many panels?
For your household, I would request quotations for roughly 8-12 modern panels, approx 3.5 to 5.5 kilowatts peak capacity (kWp). Ten 440-watt panels would give 4.4kWp. That is a starting point, not a prescription. Three bedrooms do not determine electricity demand.
Give installers 12 months of electricity consumption and, ideally, smart-meter data. Ensure to ask them to account for retirement, when you may be home more, and any future electric car.
Budgeting
As a budgeting guide, a straightforward 10-panel installation without a battery might cost approximately €7,000 to €9,000 before the ordinary grant, leaving around €5,200 to €7,200 afterwards.
Supplier prices vary considerably. Energia currently gives an indicative €6,000 to €6,600 after-grant estimate for a 10-panel, 4.4kWp system.
Check whether scaffolding, electrical upgrades, monitoring and the required BER assessment are included.
Grants
As of November 2026, the standard SEAI solar grant is €700 per kWp for the first 2kWp, then €200 per additional kWp up to 4kWp with a maximum €1,800. Eligible homes must have been built and occupied before 2025 and cannot have received previous solar PV funding. It is very important to get approval before installation.
There is also a new €600 grant for batteries of at least 5kWh. Certain homeowners receiving qualifying welfare payments, including Fuel Allowance, can access enhanced solar-and- battery support of up to €9,000. Retirement alone does not establish eligibility, so check the actual conditions rather than assuming either you do or do not qualify.
For payback, have them issue clear numbers and this will tell you if the scheme is worth it. Or you could concentrate less on payback but take satisfaction in running smarter, cleaner systems.
Your supplier can pay for surplus electricity under the Clean Export Guarantee. Confirm the meter arrangements and installer’s ESB Networks paperwork. Compare the whole electricity tariff, including import prices and standing charges, rather than choosing solely on the export payment. Don’t count exported electricity as both a bill saving and export income.
You can keep your oil boiler alongside PV. If reducing oil use is the priority, assess attic and wall insulation, draughts and heating controls too. Consider a heat pump through a separate assessment of heat loss, radiators and likely running costs. Grants are available, but solar installation does not oblige you to replace a functioning boiler.
Estimates
Ask each installer for a written annual generation estimate based on your roof pitch, location, orientation and shading, with monthly figures showing the seasonal pattern. Also ask what happens during a power cut. Ordinary grid- connected PV shuts down, and having a battery does not automatically provide backup unless the system includes it.
The common mistakes are accepting pressure selling, copying a neighbour’s system, overlooking roof repairs, and believing guaranteed savings.
But what you can do is talk to your pals and family. Find out how their systems work and what the figures mean in actuality. Ask what they would have done differently.
There will be a bit of learning involved but this will give great confidence when talking to suppliers. I wish you the very best of luck.
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