Study reveals the average savings, typical payback period and more from solar panels in Cork
Ohk energy, Ireland’s largest and most trusted solar installer, analysed how much electricity Cork residents can expect to produce from solar.
As part of their Solar Panels Cork solution, which includes free home surveys, over the years Ohk energy calculated thousands of solar generation and savings estimates for Cork residents.
Their new study reveals the top 10 places in Cork for solar, along with expected savings and more.
Crucially, calculations take into account local weather conditions, solar radiation, along with many other factors, for each specific area.
As a result, insights from this study form the most authoritative source of Cork-wide solar power potential.
Cork Solar Power Potential Study
413 areas in Co. Cork were captured in the study. The specific areas are electoral divisions sourced from Tailte Éireann’s Surveying Open Data Portal.
Energy calculations take into account solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and are based on a south facing, 4kWp system with fixed panels on a 35 degree slope.
The assumed overall system loss is 14%.
Savings estimates assume a unit rate of 43 cents. In other words, the cost of electricity assumed in the study is €0.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumed.
Ohk energy notes that the goal of the study was to assess and compile area-specific solar output estimates to deliver the most accurate and authoritative insights into solar power potential in Cork.
Key Findings
The research reveals that Cork residents can expect their solar panels to produce between 3,470.82 kWh and 4,215.76 kWh of electricity annually from a standard 4kWp system.
The average amount of potential energy production from solar in Cork is 3,907.52 kWh.
To put this in perspective, the average Irish household consumes approximately 4,200 kWh per year, according to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities.
Assuming a cost per kWh of 43 cents, in Cork the value of potential electricity generated from solar ranges from €1,492.45 to €1,812.78, with €1,680.23 being the average.
The study identifies Timoleague as the best place in Cork for solar, with systems producing an estimated 4,215.76 kWh annually (worth €1,812.78 p/y).
This small village, of less than 400 residents, is located on the coast between Clonakilty and Kinsale.
The nearby areas of Templeomalus and Kilmaloda East take second and third place with 4,213.49 kWh and 4,207.17 kWh, respectively.
This pattern reflects the area’s favourable geographic conditions, including optimal exposure to sunlight and minimal obstructions.
The remaining top 10 positions are made up of Argideen, Clonakilty, Kilmaloda West, St. Mary’s, Coolcraheen, Kilkerranmore and Midleton.
The most populated area in County Cork, Cork City, is the 225th best place in Cork for solar with an output estimate of 3,907.69 kWh (worth €1,680.31).
This is slightly above the Cork average.
Many of the other most populated towns in Cork also have a higher than average solar potential.
This includes Carrigaline (4,009.11 kWh), Cobh (4,058.46 kWh), Youghal (4,086.27 kWh), Bandon (4,039.68 kWh), Monkstown (4,021.69 kWh) and Kinsale (4,073.53 kWh).
Many factors impact how much electricity Cork residents can produce from solar, including shade from surrounding buildings, trees and terrain. Homes in mountainous and hilly areas typically get less sun, and therefore, produce less electricity.
But that doesn’t mean they cannot produce the same amount of electricity as areas that get more sun – they may just need an additional solar panel.
Locations in Cork with the lowest solar potential would typically need an additional solar panel to bring them close to the average estimated output.
In other words, they’d need a 4.4kWp system to generate the 4kWp Cork average.
Adding another solar panel, bringing the system up to 4.8kWp, would mean they’d be very close to the best place in Cork for solar (if a 4kWp system was installed).
Cork Solar Panel Payback Period
The payback period for solar panels in Cork is typically 5-7 years.
The electricity generated after this period is free.
And with decades-long product and performance warranties, Cork residents can expect a substantial return on investment.
But Ohk energy note that there are cases where solar panels may not be worth it in Cork, which is why a site survey is crucial.
Ohk energy offer free, no-obligation, site surveys (which includes output, savings and payback period estimates) to all homeowners as part of their Solar Panels Cork solution.
