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Helping residents of Letterkenny and across Donegal save on their energy bills.
Alternative Energy originated as Electrical Contractors in 2004. We now offer solar PV installations in Domestic, Commercial and Agriculture properties. We have worked closely with a wide array of domestic, business and agricultural clients in Letterkenny to install solar energy solutions to help them save money on their energy bills, decrease their environmental impact and insulate their energy costs from fluctuations.
Energy prices continue to increase, so it’s a great consideration to move towards solar energy solutions. There are also grants available to offset the initial cost of having to invest in the installation of your solar panel system, so there’s no time like the present to install solar panels in Letterkenny. Get in touch with a member of our team today to arrange for a free quote.
We have over 14 years’ experience in the industry, with over 1,800 installations to date. We’re fully committed to delivering solar PV solutions for homeowners, businesses and farmers, reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. We’re also accredited to the highest standards and hold registered installer status with SEAI.
Alternative Energy is proud to be a registered installer of photovoltaic systems and we are certified by SEAI. You can count on us for your commercial solar panel installation.
Everything that we do is focused on our customers. From the initial conversation to fast and efficient installation – we strive to provide the best customer service possible. We work with our clients to ensure that they install the best solar panel system that suits their needs to the letter.
Now is a fantastic time to invest in solar panels for your home, business or agricultural premises. Renewable energy is highly important for a greener future and is one of the key ways we can actively reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact. Solar energy is one of, if not the greenest, source of energy available.
Self-generated electricity allows home, business and farm owners greater independence from the electricity grid; insulated from fluctuating energy costs. Hybrid solar PV systems that incorporate battery storage reduce grid-drawn power even further.
Homes with solar panels are increasingly attractive to potential buyers. With the energy efficiency benefits, lower running costs and the positive environmental impact, you can significantly improve your property’s market value.
Generating clean electricity directly from sunlight can reduce the amount of power you use from the electricity grid. This can lower your monthly electricity bills, leading to substantial savings over the lifespan of your system.
With the right setup, it is possible to charge an electric vehicle with solar panels; in fact, you could cover a significant chunk of your annual mileage with clean, sustainable energy.
This will vary throughout the year and the different seasons; however, it is still an excellent way to cut your energy bills and carbon emissions even further.
The cost of your system and installation will depend on the size of your system. However, solar panels are becoming increasingly affordable and a great way to save on your annual electricity bills.
How much you should expect to save will depend on your typical energy usage, the size and orientation of your system and how well-maintained it is. A solar battery could also help you to maximise the savings you make.
In Ireland, the primary grant available for solar panel installation is the SEAI Solar PV Grant, often also referred to as the Solar Electricity Grant. Managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), this grant aims to help homeowners cover the costs of installing solar panel systems.
If you’re a business owner, SEAI grants for solar panels are also available for businesses and non-domestic buildings, including public buildings, sports clubs and community organisations.
Farmers in Letterkenny can benefit from cheaper electricity costs, with the installation of solar panels on their farm sheds or land. With less reliance on power drawn from the national grid, solar panels deliver cheaper electricity bills and reduced carbon emissions. We’ve worked with farmers in Letterkenny and other parts of Co. Donegal to bring cost savings and environmental protection to their land.
Our installation and customer service team are trained to the highest standards in the solar power sector. We pride ourselves on giving our customers the highest professional standard of after care and support.
Letterkenny enjoys on average 1352 hours of sunshine per year, making it a great location for solar panel installation for your business or agricultural premises. We are able to advise you on the best installation process and systems for your premises.
One of the greatest benefits of commercial PV systems is the substantial cost savings. If you operate industrial PV panels, you can sell the excess energy to the utility companies for incurring profits.
Solar panels are best placed on south-facing roofs but also work well on east or west-facing roofs. For flat roofs, installation is possible but would require assessment to ensure that there are no obstacles that prevent effective installation. We have worked with many businesses and agricultural businesses to provide solar panel solutions so we will use our expertise to assess your premises in terms of eligibility for solar panel installation. Solar panels can also be installed on the ground so there are solutions which can be used to ensure that you are able to install your solar panel system and enjoy the benefits of solar energy.
A solar battery system is included as part of a comprehensive solar PV system and allows for the storage of electricity or auxiliary power in the event of a blackout. You can also use off-peak cheaper electricity in the winter or when you want to charge your battery to reduce energy bills. Solar battery systems can be retroactively installed to existing systems and are often installed as comprehensive systems to offer the benefits of battery storage.
Solar PV panel systems work by absorbing sunlight and passing this through the PV cell. This generates an electrical charge which is then converted by the inverter to generate electricity. This can either be used to power the property or be stored in a solar battery depending on the system and installation. This is the greenest source of electricity as the only by-product of the reaction is heat. Solar panels are becoming more and more popular as a way to decrease the amount spent on energy bills as well as increase overall property value. Get in touch today to arrange for your free quote.
Solar panels allow you to move away from the control that large energy providers have over consumers. You are able to generate your own clean electricity and then use cheaper energy from the grid on off-peak times in the winter or if you require additional electricity. This saves you money on your energy bills and makes a return on your investment over time. Depending on the size of your system and the orientation of your roof, you should typically expect to make a return on your investment within 8 to 12 years.
There are various grants available that help offset the initial investment for solar panel installation. This allows you to make a return on your investment sooner and these are designed to incentivise businesses and property owners to adopt the benefits of solar electricity. We can advise you on your eligibility as well as help you apply for your grant during the free quote and installation process.
Solar systems generally require minimal maintenance, however we
recommend an annual health check to ensure they are working as
expected. Cleaning should be done every 1-3 years. We can underake all
aspects of solar PV maintenance and upgrades, even for systems installed
by other companies.
If your solar panels experience regular issues or require regular maintenance then this is abnormal and your solar panels will need to be inspected. This is most likely due to incorrect installation but there are other issues that can cause this to happen such as damage from debris or extreme weather. In rare cases, nesting birds and squirrels may also damage the solar panel system. If you have any issues then speak with our team and we can arrange for an inspection of your current system.
Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Your inverter will require replacement once every 10 years. Your battery should only require a replacement once throughout the lifespan of the system. As with many electrical devices, solar panels get less efficient as they age. So you should be regularly assessing the efficiency and condition of your current system as it gets older.
The price of your solar panel system will depend on the system size and type.
Most domestic properties don’t need planning permission for solar panel installation. However, planning permission may be required if you own a listed building or live in a conservation area.
The ideal system size will depend on your household’s electricity consumption, the available roof space and your budget. A typical Irish 3-bedroom semi-detached house will benefit from a 10-panel system; however, a professional installer will be able to assess your specific needs through a home survey and recommend the most efficient and cost-effective system.
‘kWp’ stands for kilowatt-peak. This is the standard unit for measuring the maximum power output of your solar panels under ideal test conditions. SEAI grants are often calculated based on the kWp of your system, and this allows you to compare the potential output of different solar panel systems.
