Solar PV Frequently Asked Questions
Going green saves you money and protects the environment for future generations
How does solar pv (photovoltaics) work?
The beating heart of a PV system is the solar cell. The sunlight on the solar cell initiates a physical response whereby the solar cells generate a direct current. In general, a solar module is made up of 60 or 72 solar cells that are electrically connected together in the module and safely protected by a tough glass panel and a frame. Several modules together make up a powerful and efficient photovoltaic system.
The electrical current produced at the terminals of the solar modules flows through the connected cable to the inverter, where it is converted to alternating current so that it can be used by electrical equipment.
How long does a solar pv installation take?
Our project and installation teams are very experienced in delivering solar pv projects on time. The majority of our domestic installations are complete in one day depending on the size of your installation.
Is my roof suitable for solar PV?
What happens when there is no sun?
Basically, a solar system is applicable everywhere where at least 10 m² of roof area is available. Next to the geographic location, the amount of output of solar electricity is dependent on several factors; the orientation (North, South, East or West), the inclination angle of the roof and of course on the size of the solar system. No matter whether it is a flat or a slope roof, our experienced experts will design a tailored solar system to suit your needs.
How much solar power can I produce and consume?
The output of a solar system and the potential for self-consumption is dependent on several factors; the orientation (North, South, East or West), the inclination angle of the roof and of course on the size of the solar system. The share of self-consumption of electricity depends on the demand for electricity in a given household - it can be increased by intelligent use of solar power and the application of data loggers/monitoring devices and battery storage systems. It is therefore up to you how much you would like to spend on your system to achieve desired results. Again our solar experts and design teams will explain this to you and design a system that is specific to your needs.
Do solar panels work on rainy or cloudy days?
Even in so-called low-light conditions, on cloudy or rainy days, or at dusk, Q CELLS solar systems keep producing high output. It is here where the solar modules from Q CELLS score top marks, because they are built for real-life conditions and are recognized for their particularly good performance with diffuse light. Even at a very low irradiation of 200 W/m², the current product generation of Q Cell solar modules still achieves 98 % of its original efficiency; which means a lot higher returns for you with a minimal amount of sunshine. And at radiation values between 400 and 900 W/m² efficiencies over 100 % of the nominal value can be achieved. These results have also been confirmed by the independent Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
Even in a bad year, Ireland gets 70% of the sun Madrid gets.
Is it possible to store the electricity to use at night?
Yes you can, provided you install a batter storage system. Battery storage systems store excess power locally for consumption later in the day or at night. We advise all our customers installing more than 6/7 solar panels to install a battery storage system. The SEAI also stipulate if you are installing more than 2KW of solar power you will need to install a battery in order to avail of the grant.
How long are the warranty and performance guarantee periods?
We use the best hardware available on the market with industry leading warranty and performance guarantees. Our Q Cell panels offer a 25 year product warranty and a 25 year performance warranty. Our Sonnen batteries offer a 10-year Full Warranty on all its components. This means that your investment is protected for 10 years or 10,000 cycles, whichever comes first. 10,000 cycles at one cycle per day is 27.4 years!
Why are warranty and performance guarantee periods important?
Solar PV is a long-term investment that you need to protect. It will be on your roof for 25 years. If you do not install the very best equipment from leading manufacturers your investment is essentially exposed. We view extended warranty periods as insurance on your investment. Using leading manufacturers also offers assurance that they will still be in business over the lifetime of the product.
What makes Swyft Energy different from other providers?
Shane our solar PV expert goes through Ireland's most asked questions
Does Solar power work in Ireland?
Shane our Solar PV expert answers your most asked questions. One of the main ones, does solar power actually work in Ireland.
To get your own solar estimate please follow the link below.
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Tim O’Leary
"Dealt with their Cork office recently and I was highly impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of all the staff we dealt with and the contractors also. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and once we made our order, we did not have to lift a finger which was great. Even better was the help we received in submitting for an energy grant which got paid within a few weeks of installation. Can't praise you all enough. Highly recommend for a stress-free professional service. Thank you."
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Andrew Shijuks
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Ann Barry
"Best value on the market, transparent pricing and easy to figure out what is best for our home. Great service, the information provided was easily accessible, office staff were so helpful, little or no disruption to our service, in and out in a day, all grant issues dealt with by Swyft and our energy bills are going down - very happy - recommended to everyone I know - thanks guys"
Swyft Energy
The Rubicon Centre,
Bishopstown, Cork, T12 Y275
p: 021-7011238
The LINC Centre,
Blanchardstown, Dublin, D15 YV78
p: 01-5042111
Monday - Sunday 9:00 AM - 10.00 PM
e: solar@swyftenergy.ie
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