Solar panels on garage paying dividends for Cork family

A Ballinhassig man is well on his way to recouping his investment to install an array of solar PV panels on the roof of his garage.

It was a decision he took after receiving an electricity bill for €950 just before Christmas almost two years ago.

After receiving that bill before Christmas of 2022, Niall Murphy decided to take the solar PV plunge and invested in the solar panels and battery for his garage and is now powering the house up to 8pm or 9pm each day and delivering enough juice to his hybrid car to be able to undertake all his daily local journeys.

He estimates that it cost €13,000-€14,000 to install the panel and battery system but since installing it, his bills have reduced to €100 month and he can run his hybrid car on approximately €50-€60 in petrol costs monthly. His previous diesel car was guzzling up to €80 per week, he estimated.

“We’ve had the Kia Sorento PHEV since September 2023 and installed the solar PV in October,” he told The Echo.

“Installing solar made a notable difference, as the regular wall socket could take 12 or 13 hours to charge, whereas it’s done within four hours with the Zappi EV charger now.”

He charges his car at home using solar during the summer, running an estimated 60km off the battery.

Cheaper rate

In the winter, he charges during cheaper rate hours between 2am and 6am and uses the solar energy to power his home.

“In my most recent bill, I was able to export enough solar power that I was actually owed €240.

“My bill used to be between €2,500-€3,000 a year and will probably be just €1,000 this year.”

He opted to buy a hybrid vehicle, due to concerns over access to charging infrastructure during longer commutes in rural Ireland.

“It’s really chicken and egg stuff whether rural Ireland should install the infrastructure so people buy EVs or whether people should buy EVs to justify putting in the infrastructure.

“I think we’ll buy a full EV when we’re changing from our current car — it isn’t that I think I can save the planet but I can do my bit for my children’s future.”