Study unveils the average savings, typical payback period and more from solar panels in Tipperary
Ohk energy, Ireland’s largest and most trusted solar installer, analysed how much electricity Tipperary residents can expect to produce from solar.
As part of their Solar Panels Tipperary solution, which includes free home surveys, over the years Ohk energy calculated thousands of solar generation and savings estimates for Tipperary residents.
Their new study reveals the best places in Tipperary 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 Tipperary-wide solar power potential.
Tipperary Solar Power Potential Study
177 areas in Co. Tipperary 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 Tipperary.
Key Findings
The research reveals that Tipperary residents can expect their solar panels to produce between 3,415.39 kWh and 3,878.06 kWh of electricity annually from a standard 4kWp system.
The average amount of potential energy production from solar in Tipperary is 3,678.14 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 Tipperary the value of potential electricity generated from solar ranges from €1,468.62 to €1,667.57, with €1,581.60 being the average.
The study identifies Carrick-On-Suir as the best place in Tipperary for solar, with 4kWp systems producing an estimated 3,878.06 kWh annually (worth €1,667.57 p/y).
The specific electoral division that toped the table is Carrick-On-Suir Urban, with Carrick-On-Suir Rural taking 3rd place (a difference of just 23 watts over a full year).
In 2nd place is the village of Carrickbeg (part of the town of Carrick-On-Suir and just south of the River Suir) with a solar potential of 3,874.72 kWh, worth €1,666.13 p/y.
The top 3 are closely located reflecting the area’s favourable geographic conditions, including optimal exposure to sunlight and minimal obstructions.
Thurles and Cashel can be found near the top of the table with 3,743.04 kWh and 3,729.28 kWh, respectively.
Nenagh, Roscrea, Tipperary Town and Clonmel are mid-table with solar potential results that are near the average for Tipperary.
Many factors impact how much electricity Tipperary 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 Tipperary with the lowest solar potential would typically need an additional solar panel to bring them up above the average.
In other words, they’d need a 4.4kWp system to generate more than the 4kWp Tipperary average.
Adding another solar panel, bringing the system up to 4.8kWp, would significantly outperform the best place in Tipperary for solar where a 4kWp system was installed.
Tipperary Solar Panel Payback Period
The payback period for solar panels in Tipperary is typically 5-7 years.
The electricity generated after this period is free.
And with decades-long product and performance warranties, Tipperary 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 Tipperary, which is why a site survey is crucial.
Ohk energy offer free site surveys (which includes output, savings and payback period estimates) to all homeowners as part of their Solar Panels Tipperary solution.
