A solar panel system, also known as a solar power system or photovoltaic (PV) system, is a setup designed to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. The primary component of a solar panel system is the solar panels, which are composed of photovoltaic cells that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight.
Following enquiries from leading dairy industry bodies and in response to growing emissions from the agriculture industry, we decided to launch a pilot scheme.
The purpose of this scheme is to examine how solar PV can contribute to reducing emissions and costs on Irish farms and meet the energy demand of a busy dairy farm.
The dairy farmer wanted to see what his farm would look like if install a ground mount solar array on his dairy farm.
Data+Result
Solar PV energy production starts slowly as the sun rises and peaks at midday. The dairy farm has two heavy usage intervals throughout the day; morning milking at 5/6 am and afternoon milking around 3pm.
The first milking of the day cannot be powered by solar energy as production in the summer months begins at approximately 7am and in the winter months at 9am. Since mid-June, data has been gathered and monitored from the project via a clip on the cable entering the fuse board called a current transformer (CT).
The data is uploaded via a sim enabled device to an online platform called solar analytics. We examined data from July – December as we had data for complete months.
The project over-performed significantly across the summer months especially during the heatwave in June/July. The total demand (i.e. electricity used by the farm) from July – December is 35,900kWh. The solar installation produced 5,000kWh and 3,500kWh of this was used.
When more energy is being produced than used, surplus energy is exported to the grid. When the project was installed, it was estimated that it would reduce the annual electricity bill by 20%. As you can see, the project is on track to meet this target in 6 months. From July – December, 5,000kWh was produced. That’s enough energy to power more than 1 home for an entire year and offset 2 tonnes of CO2.
Solar panels are the core components of a solar power system. These panels consist of photovoltaic cells made of semiconductor materials (usually silicon) that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. Commercial solar installations often involve large arrays of solar panels to generate sufficient power.
The electricity generated by solar panels is direct current (DC), but most commercial and residential electrical systems use alternating current (AC). Therefore, an inverter is employed to convert the DC electricity produced by the solar panels into AC electricity that can be used to power commercial facilities.
Solar panels are mounted on structures like rooftops, ground mounts, or carport installations. The choice of mounting structure depends on the available space, the orientation of the site, and local regulations.
Racking systems support and hold the solar panels in place. They are designed to withstand environmental factors such as wind, snow, and seismic loads. The angle and orientation of the solar panels are crucial for maximizing sunlight exposure.
Commercial solar systems often include monitoring systems that track the performance of the solar panels in real-time. This allows for proactive maintenance and ensures optimal energy production.
In many commercial solar installations, excess electricity generated by the solar panels can be fed back into the grid. This is facilitated through a net metering arrangement, where the business receives credit for the surplus electricity it contributes.
Some commercial solar systems incorporate energy storage solutions such as batteries. These batteries store excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours for use during periods of low sunlight or high energy demand.
Traditional utility spending on electricity often represents a significant and recurring expense for businesses. By investing in solar energy infrastructure, businesses can generate their own clean and renewable energy, thereby reducing or even eliminating their reliance on grid electricity. The initial upfront investment in solar panels and associated technologies can lead to substantial long-term savings as businesses produce their own power and potentially sell excess energy back to the grid.
The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is an initiative designed to encourage and facilitate the adoption of clean and sustainable energy solutions. This program typically involves a set of policies, incentives, and financing mechanisms aimed at supporting individuals, businesses, and communities in transitioning to cleaner energy sources and improving overall energy efficiency. The primary objectives of a Clean Energy Improvement Program often include reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security, and promoting the use of renewable resources.
Avoiding Rising Energy Costs
Energy prices tend to rise over time due to various factors, including increased demand and the depletion of traditional energy resources. By investing earlier, individuals and businesses can insulate themselves from future increases in utility rates.
Technological Advances
Investing early allows stakeholders to capitalize on the latest innovations, maximizing the system's performance and economic returns. Waiting to invest may mean missing out on these advancements and potentially deploying less efficient or cost-effective solutions.
Energy Savings Over Time
Solar energy systems generate electricity over an extended period, typically 25 years or more. By investing early, the benefits of energy savings begin accruing sooner, allowing investors to recover their initial investment and start generating profits from reduced energy costs more quickly.
Good Brand Image
Early adoption of solar technology demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability. This can enhance a company's brand image, attract environmentally conscious customers, and potentially lead to increased market share and customer loyalty.
Most traditional heating and cooling sources run off fossil fuels, whether oil or gas or electricity generated from fossil fuel resources. You can heat and cool your home with clean, emission-free electricity by pairing your solar panel system with air source heat pumps.
Importantly, ASHPs running on electricity from the grid are likely still using energy from fossil fuels: much of our country’s electricity continues to be generated from coal or natural gas. Solar power helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, lowering your own carbon footprint and reducing emissions and pollutants in our atmosphere.
Net-Zero Emissions Goal by 2050. We will all switch to Solar anyways. The earlier, the better!
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