A Day In The Life Of A Solar System

What To Expect From A Solar Panel System:

If you are considering a solar installation, the one thing you will want is an honest account of what you can expect.

We looked at the performance of a recent Energlaze installation for a family living in Wexford. They are currently working and schooling from home.

Energlaze installed a roof-mounted 6 kWp Solar PV system with battery storage and a 20-tube Solar Thermal system in this home.

With a PV system of this size you could typically expect, on average, to produce 14 kWh per day, more in the summer months and less in the winter months given the amount of daylight hours.

This home in one day produced 30.6 kWh due to the phenomenal weather we have been experiencing and, at one point, saw their electricity meter running in reverse!

One Day And Only 1 kwh:

At 7am on the 28th of May, this home’s meter reading was 85965.7. After 24 hours the reading was 85966.7 – meaning their home used only 1.0 kWh from the grid or, in other words, 1 unit.

Meter readings at 7am

At 7am

Meter reading 24hrs later

24 Hours Later

Bearing in mind that this family is working and schooling from home, this household ran as normal throughout the day using the usual appliances: kettle, toaster, coffee machine, cooker, phone chargers, lighting, etc. with heavy duty appliances running for the following times:

  • Fridge and freezer — 24 hours
  • Dishwasher — 2 hours
  • Washing Machine — 2 hours
  • Electric pump shower (4 showers)
  • Septic tank blower — 24 hours
  • Computers — 6 hours
  • TV — 3 hours.

The following images show the amount of Solar power being generated throughout the day — and also the excess energy being stored in the battery for future use.

Other Benefits:

Their electric hybrid car was fully charged using a total of 9.04 kWh and their battery for excess electricity was fully charged throughout the day and utilised once the sun went down.

Car charged fully

The Solar Thermal System system produced great results also. On that same day, at 9am, the water temperature in their tank was 48 degrees. The four showers taken that day were between the hours of 9am and 9pm, solely using their Solar Thermal system, with the water temperature in the tank peaking at 7:49pm at 58 degrees. The following morning this family recorded their water temperature again: 48 degrees at 7:40am.

Hot Water Temperature Morning
Hot Water Temperature Evening

The Solar Thermal system would have also assisted with the dishwasher and washing machine when they were running. 

This family managed to do all that with only 1 unit coming from the grid. A unit costs between 16 and 20 cent.

The Solar PV system installed here is larger than a typical system but the family had taken the view that they would eventually replace the hybrid car with a fully electric car. On this particular day we estimate this system exported over 10 kWh back to the grid. It is unfortunate the family were unable to maximise on the day’s output, however there is a plan to introduce a Feed in Tariff and any future “returns to the grid” will be paid for. Details of this scheme are still to be announced.

Currently, the SEAI are offering a grant of €3000 for a Solar PV system of this size. Smaller systems are also eligible for a grant, while a Thermal Solar system can attract a grant of a further €1200.

Contact Energlaze To Arrange A Free No Obligation Survey And Quote.

Energlaze Home Energy Upgrades can advise you on the best energy upgrades for your home that will make the biggest impact to your carbon footprint and home comfort. As an approved SEAI installer we can also maximise any grants that are available.

Further information or to book a no obligation survey click here or call 01 9011635.

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