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We estimated how much energy residents of over 300 towns and villages in Dublin can expect to produce from solar panels.
Results of this study form the most authoritative source of insights into Dublin-wide solar power potential.
Energy generation estimates take into account local weather, terrain and general solar radiation levels for each area.
The specific locations are Dublin electoral divisions sourced from the 2022 census.
Results are based on a 4kWp system with solar panels mounted at 35 degrees and an overall system loss of 14%.
The goal of this study is to assess and compile area-specific solar output estimates to deliver the most accurate and authoritative insights into solar power potential in Dublin.
However, all homes and their immediate surroundings are different (e.g. orientation to the sun varies and local buildings & trees can create shade).
To see how much electricity you can produce, get free Solar PV quote below.
So, the results…
Dublin residents can expect to produce 3,848.25 kWh of electricity p/y from solar, on average.
Overall, Dublin households can generate an estimated 3,413.73 kWh to 4,042.62 kWh annually from a 4kWp system.
For context, the average Irish household consumes 4,200 kWh per year, according to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
A 4kWp system can be made up of 10x400W solar panels. Adding another 400W panel can add enough to reach the average household consumption.
For many places in Dublin, at least.
Residents of Saggart, Bohernabreena and Tallaght may require an additional 2-3 panels.
These areas have the lowest solar power potential in Dublin. However, country-wide their solar output is still above average.
And adding just one additional solar panels can bring these up to the Dublin average.
See the individual study results, visit Solar Panels Dublin and use the search tool to find the estimated output for each area.
Areas that generate the Dublin average (i.e. 3,848.25 kWh), or close to average, include Beaumont, Whitehall and Kilmore.
Swapping the Spire on O’Connell Street with solar panels, i.e. a 4kWp system, would potentially generate an estimated 3,890.04 kWh of electricity.
This output would make it into the top 3rd of results from the study.
Two of the most populated areas in Dublin, Swords and Balbriggan, generate an estimated 3,977.09 kWh and 3,975.62 kWh respectively. This is very high for Dublin.
And specific locations within these areas can be even higher. For example, the electoral division Balbriggan Urban, comes in at 3,994.53 kWh.
Only 4 other locations in Dublin have a higher output estimate in our study.
But, which areas exactly? Let’s take a look at the top 10.
The table below lists the top 10 areas in Dublin for solar, based on our study of over 300 electoral divisions.
| Rank | Location / Dublin electoral division | Estimated solar output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Killiney South, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 4,042.62 kWh |
| 2 | Shankill-Shanganagh, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 4,042.48 kWh |
| 3 | Shankill-Rathsallagh, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 4,042.32 kWh |
| 4 | Shankill-Rathmichael, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 4,041.31 kWh |
| 5 | Balbriggan Urban, Fingal | 3,994.53 kWh |
| 6 | Cabinteely-Loughlinstown, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 3,978.75 kWh |
| 7 | Dundrum-Kilmacud, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 3,977.9 kWh |
| 8 | Ballinteer-Meadowbroads, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 3,977 kWh |
| 9 | Ballinteer-Ludford, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 3,977 kWh |
| 10 | Churchtown-Woodlawn, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown | 3,975.89 kWh |
Killiney South tops the table for the best place in Dublin for solar, followed closely behind by the Shankill-Shanganagh and Shankill-Rathsallagh areas.
Locations within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown make up most of the top 10 list.
Just outside of the top 10 areas for solar are Clonskeagh, Swords and Stillorgan.
As mentioned, solar panels on O’Connell Street would make it into the top 3rd. But more specifically, with an estimated output of 3,890.04 kWh p/y, it would take 97th position.
These estimates are based on a full year, but output varies substantially by month.
So let’s take a look at this next.
The month with the highest solar output in Dublin is typically May, while December usually has the lowest.
As you’d expect, May, June and July are generally the best months for solar.
November, December and January usually have the lowest output.
But let’s get more specific.
We saw that solar panels on O’Connell Street would generate an estimated 3,890.04 kWh of electricity annually, using the same variables and calculation methods within our study.
Let’s break this out by month.
| Month | Estimated Solar Output |
|---|---|
| January | 148.35 kWh |
| February | 211.22 kWh |
| March | 344.45 kWh |
| April | 432.21 kWh |
| May | 495.19 kWh |
| June | 469.14 kWh |
| July | 453.62 kWh |
| August | 413.28 kWh |
| September | 355.43 kWh |
| October | 251.41 kWh |
| November | 178.73 kWh |
| December | 137.01 kWh |
As you can see above, output varies widely by month.
The highest output is in May while the lowest is in December.
The electricity generated in May would be 3.6 times more than in December.
The chart below shows, more conveniently, how the monthly output varies throughout the year.
As you’d expect, the highest part of the curve is reached around summertime, while the lowest is around winter.
Generally, depending on the design, solar panels can produce excess electricity in certain months.
Sending the extra electricity back into the grid results in account credit from electricity providers (when on a feed-in tariff).
This credit can then reduce subsequent electricity bills, which is particularly useful during winter months.
The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels depends on many factors.
The location of your home, its orientation, slope of the roof, the surroundings, solar panel type, and the quality of product used – these factors and more impact output potential.
If you’re interested in seeing how much energy you can produce from the market leading solar solution, get a free no-obligation quote here:
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