Solar Panels in Kildavin, Co. Carlow
Kildavin is a village in Co. Carlow with a population of around 207. Located 23.5 km from Carlow Town, the area has a solar yield of 911 kWh/kWp. A 4kWp solar system generates approximately 3,644 kWh annually, saving an estimated €1093+ per year. The SEAI grant of up to €1,800 and 0% VAT bring the net cost to €6,500–€7,200.
Kildavin solar yield and performance data
| Solar Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Solar Yield | 911 kWh/kWp |
| 4kWp System Output | 3,644 kWh/yr |
| Sunshine Hours | 1,490 hrs/yr |
| Est. Annual Savings | €1093+ |
| Household Coverage | 87% of avg use |
Based on county-level solar data for Carlow. Actual output varies by roof orientation, shading, and system specification.
Kildavin at a Glance
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 207 (Census 2022) |
| Households | 74 |
| Houses/Bungalows | 100% of dwellings |
| Owner-Occupied | 58% |
| Built Before 2000 | 64% |
| Avg. Rooms per Home | 5.2 |
| Elevation | 53 metres |
| Eircode Area | R21 |
| Dist. to Carlow Town | 23.5 km |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 52.6838°N, 6.6854°W |
Population and housing data: CSO Census 2022. Weather data: Met Eireann (Oak Park, 25 km).
Weather & Climate in Kildavin
Weather data from Met Eireann (Oak Park station, 25 km from Kildavin). 5-year average (2019–2023).
Solar Suitability in Kildavin
100% of dwellings in Kildavin are houses or bungalows, making the area highly suited for rooftop solar panels. 58% of homes are owner-occupied — homeowners can apply directly for the SEAI grant. 64% of homes were built before 2000, qualifying for the SEAI solar grant (homes built and occupied before 2021 are eligible).
Going Solar in Kildavin
Kildavin is a village in Co. Carlow with a population of 207 (CSO Census 2022). It is a short drive from Carlow Town (23.5 km), where most SEAI-registered installers in the county are based. The Eircode routing key for Kildavin is R21. You'll need your full Eircode when applying for the SEAI grant. According to the 2022 Census, Kildavin has 74 households, of which 100% are houses or bungalows — well suited for rooftop solar panels. The area receives around 1,490 sunshine hours annually, allowing a 4kWp solar system to generate approximately 3,644 kWh per year. The area has relatively low rainfall (867 mm/yr), with a mean temperature of 10.5°C.
Solar panel benefits in Kildavin, Carlow
Save on Electricity Bills
Homeowners in Kildavin can save an estimated €1093+ per year on electricity with a 4kWp solar system generating 3,644 kWh annually.
Top Solar County in Ireland
Co. Carlow ranks #5 in Ireland for solar yield with 911 kWh/kWp. Homes in Kildavin benefit from some of the best solar conditions in the country.
25+ Year Lifespan
A system installed in Kildavin today will generate clean electricity for 25-30 years with minimal maintenance.
Kildavin SEAI solar PV grant details
Homeowners in Kildavin, Co. Carlow can claim up to €1,800 from the SEAI solar PV grant (2026). Combined with 0% VAT, the net cost of a 4kWp system is typically€6,500–€7,200.
319 SEAI-registered solar installers serve Kildavin, Co. Carlow. Compare installers in Carlow or read verified reviews.
Solar Installers Serving Kildavin
SEAI registered solar panel installers covering Kildavin, Co. Carlow.
Bespoke Solar PV Installations Ltd
carlow, cavan, clare +23 more
Local Power Ltd
carlow, cavan, clare +23 more
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Solar Panel FAQs for Kildavin
How much do solar panels cost in Kildavin?
A 4.4 kWp system in Kildavin typically costs €8,300–€9,000 before grants. After the €1,800 SEAI grant and 0% VAT, the net cost is €6,500–€7,200. The system generates approximately 3,644 kWh/year, paying for itself in 4-6 years.
Can I add a battery to my solar system?
Yes. A home battery (typically 5-10 kWh) stores excess solar electricity for evening use. This increases your self-consumption from around 30-40% to 60-80%. Batteries currently cost €3,000-€6,000 and are not yet covered by the SEAI grant.
Do I need a smart meter for solar panels?
You need a smart meter to sell surplus electricity back to the grid. ESB Networks installs smart meters for free. Your installer submits the NC6 form to ESB Networks after installation, which triggers the meter upgrade if needed.
Do I need to clean my solar panels?
In most cases, rain keeps solar panels clean enough in Ireland. If your panels are near trees or at a low angle, an annual clean may improve output by 2-5%. Never use abrasive materials. A soft brush and water is sufficient.
Can I get solar panels on an east or west facing roof in Kildavin?
Yes. East or west-facing roofs still produce 80-85% of the output of a south-facing roof. Many installers recommend splitting panels across east and west to spread generation throughout the day, which can actually improve self-consumption.
What size solar system do I need for my home in Kildavin?
Most homes in Kildavin benefit from a 3-6 kWp system. A 4kWp system (10 panels) covers 87% of average household electricity use. Your installer will assess your roof space, orientation, and energy usage to recommend the optimal size.
What happens during a power cut?
Standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during a power cut for safety reasons (to protect ESB workers). If you need backup power, you can install a hybrid inverter with battery storage that provides power during outages.
Can you go off-grid with solar in Kildavin?
Fully off-grid setups are rare in Kildavin. Most homes stay grid-connected and sell surplus back through the Microgeneration Support Scheme. A hybrid inverter with 10-20 kWh of battery storage covers evenings and power cuts, which is what most people searching "off-grid" actually want. A true off-grid system needs a much larger array and battery bank, and you lose the grant-supported export income.
Sources
- SEAI — Solar Electricity Grant
- SEAI — Find a Registered Professional
- Revenue — 0% VAT on Solar Panels
- PVGIS — EU Joint Research Centre (solar irradiance data)
- CSO — Census of Population 2022
- Met Eireann — Climate Data
Last updated: August 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
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