Client: Domestic
Location: Ballina, Co. Tipperary (serving Tipperary & Clare)
Property Overview
- Home: Modern two-storey new build
- Roof Type: Slate
- Roof Orientations:
- East-facing roof: 100°
- West-facing roof: 280°
- Roof Pitch: 30°
This project is a strong example of how Solar Panels in Tipperary and Clare can be designed effectively for non–south-facing roofs.
Client Objectives
Sean contacted Moontree Solar during the build stage to:
- Design an affordable, future-proof solar PV system
- Reduce long-term electricity costs
- Add convenience and resilience to a fully electric modern home
- Ensure compatibility with heat pump, underfloor heating, and air purification systems
Project Context (Modern Home Reality)
While there were no immediate “pain points,” this home — like most modern builds — is 100% reliant on electricity:
- Heat pump with underfloor heating (electric pumps)
- Air purification system
- Electric water systems for cooking, washing, and sanitation
- Standard household appliances and lighting
➡️ A power outage without backup would leave the home fully inoperable.
Solar PV System Design
Following a site visit and energy assessment, we designed a balanced East / West solar PV system that maximises roof space and delivers strong annual performance.
Installed Solar Panels
- 14 × TW Solar 445W panels (East-facing roof – 100°)
- 14 × TW Solar 445W panels (West-facing roof – 280°)
- Panels installed in portrait orientation
- No optimisers required due to clean roof layout
Mounting & Safety System
- Solarmount slate hooks – 58 installed
- Solarmount slate flashes – 58 installed
- Fire shunts fitted in both attic spaces (East & West roofs)
Inverter, Battery & Backup Power
- Sigenergy EC-5.0-SP Energy Controller (5kW inverter)
- Sigenergy BAT 8.0 – 8.02kWh battery
- Sigenergy Gateway HomePro SP (full backup capability)
System Capacity & Output
- Total System Size: 10.68kWp
- Estimated Annual Generation: 7,026kWh
This output is very close to a comparable south-facing system, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-designed East / West solar panel installations in Tipperary and Clare.
Equipment Layout (Plant Room Design)
As expected in a well-built modern home, all services were located in a central plant room, designed by McKeoghs:
- Fuse board & Gateway positioned together
- Inverter and battery mounted above underfloor heating manifold
- All equipment spaced correctly to manufacturer specifications
- Safe access, ventilation, and future serviceability ensured
Installation Notes
- Installation completed in two stages:
- Summer: Roof brackets, solar panels, DC cabling
- Pre-Christmas: Gateway, inverter, battery, AC cabling, isolators
- Extensive attic cabling:
- All runs clipped, labelled, and separated correctly
- Conduit used where required
- A third DC string was installed for future panel expansion, future-proofing the system
- Gateway installed beside fuse board and reconfigured to receive mains power directly from ESB meter
- Gateway now acts as the system hub, managing:
- Solar production
- Battery storage
- Backup power during grid loss
System Performance (Winter Commissioning)
System commissioned:
📅 22nd December 2025 – 12:20
- Day 1: 0.68kWh (very dark winter day)
- 24th December: 6.68kWh
- Best pre–year-end day: 8.86kWh
- January performance improving steadily:
- 9.43kWh (3rd Jan)
- 10.64kWh (13th Jan)
- 10.7kWh (15th Jan – best to date)
Performance Summary
(1st – 28th January 2026)
- Solar Generated: 184.5kWh
- Self-Consumption (Load): 2,000kWh
- Imported from Grid: 1,820kWh
- Exported to Grid: 0kWh
➡️ All solar generation was used on-site or stored — ideal behaviour for winter.
Learnings: East / West vs South-Facing Solar
- Winter solar performance is typically ~18% of summer output
- East / West systems generate less in winter due to shorter mornings and evenings
- Performance improves daily as daylight hours increase
Annual Comparison (10.68kWp systems):
- South-facing (180°): ~7,596kWh
- East / West combined: ~7,026kWh
- Estimated difference: ~7.5% annually
➡️ While south-facing roofs outperform in winter, East / West solar panels in Tipperary and Clare still deliver excellent yearly results.
Grid Loss & Backup Power
The Sigenergy Gateway ensures:
- Seamless backup during grid outages
- Solar continues generating when the grid is down
- Battery power keeps essential systems running
For a fully electric home, this provides critical resilience and peace of mind.
Recommended Next Steps
1️⃣ Add Additional Battery Storage
- Add Sigenergy BAT 10.0 (9kWh)
- Total storage increased to 18kWh
- More morning backup, higher self-consumption
2️⃣ Optional Generator Integration
- Diesel generator can be connected to Gateway for extended outages during low winter solar
3️⃣ Move to Day/Night Tariff
- Charge battery cheaply overnight
- Use stored energy during peak daytime rates
Project Synopsis
- Maximum solar capacity installed for the home
- Balanced East / West design delivers strong annual output
- Gateway provides uninterrupted power during outages
- Future expansion built into the system design
Outcome
✅ Reduced electricity costs
✅ Maximum roof utilisation
✅ Backup power for a fully electric home
✅ Long-term, future-proof solar solution
The Sigenergy system installed by Moontree Solar delivers reliable performance, strong savings, and energy security for modern homes across Tipperary and Clare.
