The installation ran very smoothly and efficiently from start to finish and we found all of their staff extremely helpful and professional. With a back up service just a phone call away we have been delighted with the service provided and would highly recommend Sustainable Heating Ireland.
John Eager
Wicklow,
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Solar Panels
Solar Energy in Ireland
| Contrary to popular belief the amount of solar radiation received by Ireland is enough for solar heating to be a viable supplement of existing domestic water heating. Perhaps surprisingly Ireland receives 65% of the amount of solar radiation that is received by the South of Spain.
The radiation here is made up of direct radiation on sunny days, which accounts for around 40%, and diffused radiation on cloudy days, accounting for 60% of the total. Summer will provide the largest amount of radiation over the year but a useful contribution will be provided in other seasons. |
The output of a typical installation of a solar heating system
As an indication a well-sized typical installation of a solar heating system will provide the following proportion of the household domestic hot water requirements.
| Season | % of requirement fulfilled by solar |
| Summer | 70% - 80% |
| Spring/Autumn | 40% - 50% |
| Winter | 20% - 30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is sustainable energy?
A. Sustainable energy is best thought of as energy which can be replenished within a human lifetime and which causes no long-term damage to the environment. Solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy, amongst others, are all self-sustaining. They all have sources that cannot be depleted. Extended use of these energy sources aids the conservation of other non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels.
Q. How does Solar Heating technology work?
A. The idea behind technologies which use solar energy is to harness the freely available rays from the sun in a useful form. The technology used for solar water heating is simple and effective. The basic principle uses an absorber plate which is heated by the suns rays. This heat is collected in a transfer liquid which is in turn used in a heat exchanger to heat water.
Q. Do I need to have a particular type of roof for Solar installation?
A. In Ireland the best orientation for solar panels is facing due south and tilted at around 35 degrees from the horizontal. The gains available will reduce as the orientation moves away from due south. A variety of brackets and frames are available for solar heating systems to suit different types roof types (pitched and flat) and different types of roof tiles.