SOLAR PANELS
Solar PV Electricity is one of the world’s most reliable forms of renewable energy and is very
cost-effective to self-generate electricity for all your farm needs.
Peak performance annually is from March to October, which is an ideal technology option for
on dairy farms (eg robotic dairy units etc), poultry and pig farms – which can be very
significant users of electricity.s.
on dairy farms (eg robotic dairy units etc), poultry and pig farms – which can be very
significant users of electricity.s.
- Significantly reduce Electricity cost.
- Payback period as low as 4-7 years.
- Accelerated capital allowances, SEAI & TAMS Grants available.
- Battery systems available to store electricity.
- Protect against carbon tax.
WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the process of converting energy from daylight and the sun into electricity. The
technology is well proven, dependable and its costs have reduced by over 80% in the past 10 years
through a combination of increased efficiency and lower manufacturing and raw material costs.
This, combined with electricity prices trending upwards and various grant supports available makes a
Solar PV install a very viable option for farm families to help run their homes and/or farm. It is also
Government policy to electrify heating and transport going forward and being able to generate your own
electricity is going to be even more valuable.
The economics for solar PV work best when all of the electricity generated is used on the farm or home.
Today Solar PV has become a major source of renewable energy across the world with deployment
doubling every year and Solar PV now accounts for over 2% of the world’s electricity generation and is
expected to grow exponentially in the years ahead. The industry in Ireland is about to take off.
Solar PV electricity generation works very well under Irish conditions and our
wet weather has the added benefit of helping to ensure that the solar panels are
kept clean. The output from Solar PV is quite predictable, varying from 900kwh
to 1000kwh per year per KwP installed - depending on the part of Ireland and on
whether the panels are facing south or east/west. It is not recommended to face
panels north unless the roof space is almost flat. Solar panels also work well on
flat roof spaces tilted south or east west.
Solar PV generation systems can be remotely monitored and house holders or
farms will be able to see the energy generated hourly, daily, yearly etc and also
what they are buying from the grid, thus educating themselves on their energy
usage which is a very positive thing.
Solar PV generates energy in a bell-shaped curve between February and
November and is very much in line with the electricity demands on dairy farms.
Not alone that, but daily output will vary depending on the way the panels are
facing. While historically everyone said to face the panels south the current
advice for self-consumption projects is to set them east-west, if possible, for a
more even daily generation of electricity output.
With Ireland’s only Kw/h output Guarantee (Guaranteed generation of units of
electricity in a 12-month period), 25-year output guarantee, no moving parts and
very little maintenance - AEI are the farms choice for solar PV.
IN THE MEDIA
Videos
The Solar Panels works very well with the Milking Robot, when there is daylight, they are creating energy….AEI came out and did a plan of the farm to see what works out best…the standard of instillation was very high…. AEI gave great advice on grants and finance options.
Liam Delaney, Portlaoise, Laois
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AEI came out and told us what their system would do and wouldn’t do… great advice on Grants…we went for a 30KW system that can be easily added to down the road with extra panels…
John Downey, The Rower, Kilkenny
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We were at a farm demo and saw the Solar PV Panels there and then progressed from there… AEI came out and surveyed the farm…they were very professional…
Gwen & Trevor Carnegie, Rosenallis, Laois
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I looked at various forms of renewable energy system to reduce costs and decided Solar PV was the best option for my farm…the solar PV panels could go up neatly onto the roofs and wouldn’t intrude in any space… it also helps supply a lot of hot water which takes pressure-off water heaters and also supply a fair bit of the running costs for an Automatic Calf Feeder.
Jonathan Fennell, Carlow
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AEI came out, assessed my farm, looked at my ESB bills and recommended a 20KW solar PV instillation…the instillation process was seamless and didn’t interrupt the day to day process of running my farm…I believe green energy is the future of farming in Ireland
Liam Ryan, The Rower, Kilkenny
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With solar PV power you have continuous power throughout the day, which suits the robot system… we are always looking at ways to reduce costs… plus reduce the carbon footprint of the farm…. We found AEI very professional to deal with… it will have a 5.5 year payback
Michael Callan, Louth
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