Your neighbours have solar PV, but you’re not yet convinced: how well do solar panels work in Northern Ireland? We’ve put together a case study of one of our domestic customers, based in Maghera – Mr T. We’ll go over this real-life example of Mr T’s bills when he came to us, an overview of the system design and cost, as well as what his bills look like now.
Mr T contacted First Class Solar in early March 2024 with average quarterly electric bills of £261 – nothing too crazy, but still something for the solar to make a dent in! After a phone discussion and a survey completed the next week at Mr T’s house, our director Peter found that he had a concrete tile roof with several dormers to work around, and so designed the following system:
- 13 x Tier 1 435W Solar Panels,
- 1 x 3.6kWh Solis Hybrid (battery-ready) Inverter,
- 1 x 5kWh Lithium-Ion Solar Battery and
- 4 x Tigo Optimisers.
After reviewing Peter’s proposal, Mr T was keen to move ahead with a First Class Solar installation, paying a deposit in April with the installation going ahead a few weeks later in early May 2024.
Pre-Solar Energy Costs
Before installing the solar system, Mr T had an average quarterly bill of £261, amounting to £87 monthly. Mr T shared his quarterly August 2023 bill with us – £265.65. Like many households, he wanted a long-term solution to these increasing costs, and solar energy offered a practical path forward.
Post-Solar Energy Savings
The difference in the customer’s energy bills after installing the solar system is striking. After installation in May, Mr T got his usual quarterly bill in August 2024. This had dropped to an incredible £25.46. This substantial reduction in energy costs represents savings of over £240 in just one quarter. The combination of solar panels, battery storage, and optimisers means the homeowner is generating and storing a significant portion of their electricity needs, leading to much lower bills!
Financial Investment and Payback Period
The total cost of the solar system, including installation, was £6,900. Based on the calculated reduction in energy costs, Mr T’s estimated payback period is 7 years and 1 month. This calculation considers his previous average energy bill of £87 per month and the new, much-reduced figures. After the payback period, the system will continue to generate significant savings, effectively making his electricity costs close to zero for the remaining lifespan of the panels, which typically extends beyond 25 years.
Customer Satisfaction
Mr T is extremely pleased with the outcome of his investment. Not only has the system dramatically reduced his electricity bills, but he has been impressed with the First Class service he has received: in the pre-installation phase, the actual installation as well as the after-care and set-up of his monitoring app. For this homeowner, the decision to go solar has proven to be both financially rewarding and environmentally responsible.
Of course, the highest savings are expected during the summer months due to longer daylight hours compared to winter. However, the savings during these months still contribute, and our calculations indicate that Mr. T can expect lower bills throughout the year, with the most significant reductions occurring in the summer.This case study demonstrates the impressive impact that a well-designed, First Class Solar PV system can have on household energy costs. With a 13-panel system, a hybrid inverter, battery storage, and optimisers, this homeowner has seen their energy bills drop from over £265 per quarter to just £25.46. The initial investment of £6,900 offers a payback period of just over 7 years, after which the savings will continue. As this example shows, solar energy for residential homes is a smart and sustainable investment, offering reliable returns and making a noticeable difference in day-to-day living costs.
