As experienced suppliers of solar panels in Northern Ireland, it’s safe to say that the First Class Solar team have a huge amount of knowledge about solar energy. We’ve supplied residential homes and commercial buildings with reliable solar PV systems all across Northern Ireland, from Derry/Londonderry, to Belfast, to Craigavon and beyond.
Whether you are considering installing solar panels for your home, or you’ve already taken that step – there can be a lot of information to take in. So, we’re here to answer any questions about solar panels that you may have to keep you fully informed. Keep an eye out for our next blog too where we dive deeper.
Can you sell electricity back to the grid in Northern Ireland?
Yes, if you have solar panels in Northern Ireland, some of the energy they generate will be sold back to the grid.
The solar panels generate electricity which supplies your home first, then your battery and hot water diverter if you have them. Any excess electricity after that is then sold back to the grid. There are two suppliers in Northern Ireland who currently pay for export, namely, Power NI Renewables and Share Energy. Once your solar PV system is installed, First Class Solar supplies you with information about both; it’s up to you as the consumer to decide which supplier works best for you, as each offers different payback rates and periods.
What happens if your solar PV system stops working?
With First Class Solar, you have a 5-year Workmanship Warranty on your solar PV system. This means that within five years of your install, if there is an issue with your solar PV system, the First Class Solar team will rectify this at no cost. Please reach out to either your First Class Solar sales representative or our office team – we can then arrange for the appropriate person to amend the issue with your solar panels. It’s important to note that your Workmanship Warranty can become void if you perform any work on the system yourself – please give us a call instead to ensure your warranty stays in place.
Do solar PV systems work during a power cut in Northern Ireland?
No, a standard solar PV system in Northern Ireland will not work during a power cut. This is industry-wide due to safety issues with having live electricity on a grid where people may be performing work as there is a risk of electrocution.
There are various options for having some off-grid capacity with your system, including a double-off grid socket (this requires an earth spike and a specific meter type which is determined by an electrician on installation day), or adding a gateway. Adding a gateway also requires some special conditions to be met, so some homes may not be suitable. Your First Class Solar representative will be able to discuss these with you – essentially the equipment, i.e., the inverter, battery and gateway, needs to be fitted as close as possible to the NIE meter, and there are certain cabling requirements to be met.
Do solar panels increase property value in Northern Ireland?
Research in this area shows that yes, having solar panels does add value to your home, of about 2-4%. Typically, solar energy improves your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by up to a full band (for example, from D to C), and homes with better EPC ratings are generally more sought-after and have higher values, often with the added benefit of lower mortgage rates.
Homes with solar panels are also more attractive to the growing population of buyers who value energy-efficiency, eco-friendliness and future readiness.
Do solar panels affect home insurance costs?
Your home insurance provider will need to be notified that you have installed a solar PV system, but whether this increases your policy cost or not, will be dependent on the insurer. We have quite a few customers who have added solar panels on to their home insurance at no cost, while others have been charged within the region of £50-100 per year to include it in their insurance cover. Please contact your insurance company prior to your solar PV system installation to confirm their stance on this.
Do solar panels work in winter and cloudy weather?
Yes, solar panels do work both in the winter and when it’s cloudy, however the panel efficiency does drop. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to function – when it’s overcast, they’re still exposed to UV rays which means they still produce electricity, albeit at a lower rate.
This is the same as in winter with solar panels, meaning panels will still produce electricity, just less due to fewer daylight hours and lower light levels overall. However, this is when your battery takes centre stage, by charging it up on the overnight cheaper rate utilising the Day/Night Economy-7 tariff. In the winter months, no matter the weather, you can wake up to a battery full of half-price electricity.
And with average sunshine hours in Northern Ireland just shy of 1,300 per year, that’s still many hours for your solar panels to make free electricity for your home.
Are solar panels worth it in Northern Ireland?
For many homeowners, solar panels are absolutely worth it in Northern Ireland. With rising electricity costs, export payment schemes and improvements in solar battery technology, installing a solar PV system can help significantly reduce your energy bills while making your home more energy-efficient.
Even with Northern Ireland’s weather, solar panels still generate electricity throughout the year, including during cloudy days and winter months. Combined with battery storage and Economy 7 tariffs, many households are seeing long-term savings and greater energy independence.
As well as lowering running costs, solar panels can also increase property value and improve your home’s EPC rating, making them an increasingly attractive investment for the future.
Thinking about installing solar panels for your home?
With over seven years of experience in the solar PV system industry, there’s no one better to advise on your switch to solar energy in Northern Ireland.
Get in touch with the experienced First Class Solar team today to start your journey to a more sustainable, greener future. Give us a call on 02896 005042 or email us on info@firstclasssolar.co.uk.