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The short and unsatisfactory answer is: it depends.
However, below, we’ll use averages and examples to see how many solar panels are need to run a typical Northern Ireland home.
Key takeaways:
But if you want to know how many solar panels you need to run your home, instead of using Northern Ireland averages, we’d be more than happy to work this out for you based on your needs and configuration.
Simply request a solar panel quote.
Typical Northern Ireland homes need 6-20 solar panels to run. A typical 2-3 bedroom, 2-3 occupant, house in Northern Ireland with medium energy usage would need 10 solar panels.
This is based on 435W solar panels, average household usage figures and takes into account solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and many other factors, specifically for Belfast.
The actual number of solar panels required depends on several factors including household energy consumption, the efficiency of the panels and the homeowner’s specific energy goals.
But the first step to estimating the number of panels a home would need is to determine how much electricity it consumes.
Using Ofgem’s classification of typical electricity consumption, Ohk energy’s 435W tier-1 solar panels and solar radiation data for Belfast, the table below estimates how many solar panels various types of Northern Ireland homes need.
| Energy Use | Example – home type and number of residents | Typical annual electricity use (multi-rate, such as Economy 7) | No. of 435W solar panels to match demand |
| Low | 1 bedroom house; 1 to 2 people | 2,200 kWh | 6-8 panels |
| Medium | 2-3 bedroom house; 2 to 3 people | 3,900 kWh | 10-12 panels |
| High | 4+ bedroom home; 4 to 5 people | 6,700 kWh | 14-20 panels |
Please note: These figures serve as a general guide based on average consumption patterns and solar radiation data for Belfast (specifically, Lat/Lon: 54.596,-5.930 with south-facing roof mounted panels at a 35° slope and 14% system losses). Your household’s actual electricity usage may be higher or lower depending on your specific appliances, habits, and needs. And your solar potential will be different depending on your location, roof slope, etc. A professional assessment is recommended for an accurate determination of your requirements and solar potential.
While it might seem straightforward to calculate panel requirements based on total annual consumption and a sample location, this approach oversimplifies several important factors that impact solar system effectiveness in Northern Ireland.
In turn, this impacts the amount of solar panels needed to run a home in Northern Ireland.
An often overlooked consideration is how and when you use electricity in your home.
Solar panels generate electricity during the day, with peak production occurring midday when the sun is strongest.
However, some homes might consume most of their electricity in the morning and evening, creating a mismatch between generation and consumption.
For maximum benefit from a solar installation, using major appliances during the day (when panels are actively generating electricity) allows you to directly consume the electricity you’re producing.
This approach reduces the need to draw power from the grid and maximises the return from a solar panel system.
Homes that don’t consume most of their electricity during the day can benefit from battery storage, hot water diverters and smart home solutions (e.g., apps and timers to automate appliance usage).
These solutions help make the most out of every watt a solar system generates.
Exporting excess electricity back to the grid, and getting paid to do so, can also be of benefit.
Northern Ireland’s location means we have significant seasonal variations in solar generation. During summer months, solar panels produce substantially more electricity than during winter months.
A system sized perfectly for summer needs might provide only a fraction of your requirements during winter. On the other hand, a system sized for winter demands could potentially produce unwanted excess electricity during summer months.
Finding a balance between seasons and household goals is key to identifying the ideal number of solar panels for a home.
Other factors that impact the number of solar panels needed to run a Northern Ireland home include the direction the house is facing, horizon height and shading, mounting type and slope.
There are many more factors and possible limitations, including roof size.
Every home in Northern Ireland has unique energy requirements and solar potential.
While averages and examples provide a starting point, the most accurate way to determine your specific solar panel needs is through a professional assessment.
To see exactly how many solar panels you actually need, get a free, no-obligation solar panel quote.
