Solar Panels in Donard, Co. Wicklow
Donard is a village in Co. Wicklow with a population of around 238. Located 38.3 km from Wicklow Town, the area has a solar yield of 747 kWh/kWp. A 4kWp solar system generates approximately 2,988 kWh annually, saving an estimated €896+ per year. The SEAI grant of up to €1,800 and 0% VAT bring the net cost to €3,200–€6,200.
Donard solar yield and performance data
| Solar Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Solar Yield | 747 kWh/kWp |
| 4kWp System Output | 2,988 kWh/yr |
| Sunshine Hours | 1,448 hrs/yr |
| Est. Annual Savings | €896+ |
| Household Coverage | 71% of avg use |
Solar yield calculated for Donard (53.02°N, 6.61°W) using PVGIS satellite data. Actual output varies by roof orientation, shading, and system specification.
Monthly Solar Output in Donard
kWh per month (4kWp system)
Donard at a Glance
| Area Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 238 (Census 2022) |
| Households | 94 |
| Houses/Bungalows | 90% of dwellings |
| Owner-Occupied | 55% |
| Built Before 2000 | 71% |
| Avg. Rooms per Home | 5.3 |
| Elevation | 183 metres |
| Eircode Area | R56 |
| Dist. to Wicklow Town | 38.3 km |
| Location | Inland |
| Coordinates | 53.0223°N, 6.6131°W |
Population and housing data: CSO Census 2022. Weather data: Met Eireann (Oak Park, 27 km).
Weather & Climate in Donard
Weather data from Met Eireann (Oak Park station, 27 km from Donard). 5-year average (2019–2023).
Solar Suitability in Donard
90% of dwellings in Donard are houses or bungalows, making the area highly suited for rooftop solar panels. 55% of homes are owner-occupied — homeowners can apply directly for the SEAI grant. 71% of homes were built before 2000, qualifying for the SEAI solar grant (homes built and occupied before 2021 are eligible).
Going Solar in Donard
Donard is a village in Co. Wicklow with a population of 238 (CSO Census 2022). It is accessible from Wicklow Town (38.3 km), where most SEAI-registered installers in the county are based. At an elevation of 183 metres, installations in Donard should consider potential wind exposure when planning panel mounting. The Eircode routing key for Donard is R56. You'll need your full Eircode when applying for the SEAI grant. According to the 2022 Census, Donard has 94 households, of which 90% are houses or bungalows — well suited for rooftop solar panels. Based on satellite data for this location, a 4kWp solar system generates approximately 2,988 kWh per year (747 kWh/kWp). The area has relatively low rainfall (867 mm/yr), with a mean temperature of 10.5°C.
Solar panel benefits in Donard, Wicklow
Save on Electricity Bills
Homeowners in Donard can save an estimated €896+ per year on electricity with a 4kWp solar system generating 3,788 kWh annually.
SEAI Grant: Up to €1,800
Get up to €1,800 back from SEAI. The grant is available for homes built before 2021. No means testing. Apply online at seai.ie.
0% VAT on Installation
Residential solar installations are zero-rated for VAT since May 2023, saving approximately €1,000 on a typical system.
Earn from Excess Energy
Sell surplus electricity at 15-25c/kWh through the Microgeneration Support Scheme. The first €400/year is tax-free.
Top Solar County in Ireland
Co. Wicklow ranks #3 in Ireland for solar yield with 947 kWh/kWp. Homes in Donard benefit from some of the best solar conditions in the country.
25+ Year Lifespan
A system installed in Donard today will generate clean electricity for 25-30 years with minimal maintenance.
Donard SEAI solar PV grant details
Homeowners in Donard, Co. Wicklow can apply for the SEAI solar PV grant. The maximum grant of €1,800 is confirmed for 2026.
| System Size | Grant Amount | Typical Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kWp | €1,400 | €2,000 - €3,000 |
| 3 kWp | €1,600 | €2,500 - €4,000 |
| 4 kWp+ | €1,800 (max) | €3,200 - €6,200 |
Solar Installers in Wicklow
SEAI registered solar panel installers covering Wicklow.
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Solar Panel FAQs for Donard
How much do solar panels cost in Donard?
A 4kWp system in Donard typically costs €5,000-€8,000 before grants. After the €1,800 SEAI grant and 0% VAT, the net cost is €3,200-€6,200. The system generates approximately 3,788 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 planning permission for solar panels?
Most residential solar installations are exempt from planning permission, provided panels don't project more than 15cm from the roof and don't cover more than 50% of total roof area.
Do solar panels work in winter in Wicklow?
Yes, solar panels generate electricity all year round. While output is lower in winter, Wicklow still receives usable daylight hours even in December. Annual generation figures (3,788 kWh for a 4kWp system) already account for seasonal variation.
How does shading affect solar panels in Donard?
Shading from trees, chimneys, or nearby buildings can reduce output significantly. Modern systems use optimisers or microinverters so that shading on one panel doesn't drag down the whole system. Your installer will assess shading during the site survey.
What roof direction is best for solar panels in Donard?
South-facing roofs produce the most electricity (100% of potential). South-east and south-west roofs produce around 95%. East or west-facing roofs still produce 80-85%. North-facing roofs are generally not recommended for solar panels in Ireland.
How long do solar panels last?
Modern solar panels are warrantied for 25-30 years and typically last even longer. Panel efficiency degrades by about 0.5% per year, so after 25 years, your panels will still produce around 87% of their original output. Inverters typically last 10-15 years and may need one replacement.
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: March 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
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