APPROX COSTS: 18 Panels + 5kW + 16kWh Battery — IRELAND AUGUST 2026
This is what installers are actually charging in August 2026 for the big systems — 7.8kWp (18 panels) vs 8.6-9kWp (20 panels) + 5kW hybrid + 16kWh battery.
Based on real quotes members are getting in the Solar Works in Ireland group right now.
💡 BOTTOM LINE PRICES — FULLY INSTALLED
| System | Gross | Net (after €1,800 SEAI) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Panels - DYNESS + SOLIS S6 | €9,500 - €11,000 | €7,700 - €9,200 |
| 18 Panels - ECOFLOW 15kWh | €11,000 - €12,000 | €9,200 - €10,200 |
| 18 Panels - SIGENERGY 16kWh | €14,000 - €15,500 | €12,200 - €13,700 |
| 20 Panels - DYNESS + SOLIS S6 | €10,300 - €11,800 | €8,500 - €10,000 |
| 20 Panels - ECOFLOW 15kWh | €11,800 - €12,800 | €10,000 - €11,000 |
| 20 Panels - SIGENERGY 16kWh | €14,800 - €16,300 | €13,000 - €14,500 |
20 panels makes ~7,600kWh/year vs 18 panels ~6,800kWh/year — extra 800kWh = ~€147 extra export at 18.5c or ~€288 if self-used at 36c.
🔋 CHEAPEST EV RATES NOW
- Energia Smart Drive: 8.87c-9.42c/kWh 2am-6am — 4 HOUR WINDOW
- SSE: 8.58c 2am-5am — 3 hours
- Bord Gáis: 9.31c 2am-5am — 3 hours
- Electric Ireland Night Boost: 10.52c 2am-4am — 2 hours
- Export (CEG): Average 18.5c/kWh
🔄 THE CLIPPING FIX — NIGHT CHARGE + MORNING DUMP
20 panels can push 8.6kW+ DC, inverter only 5kW AC. Clipping jumps to 12-18% on 20 panels vs 8-12% on 18 panels if the battery is full at 8am. The loop fixes it.
The loop:
02:00-06:00 CHARGE 16kWh at 8.87c = €1.42 (Energia)
07:30-11:30 DUMP 12kWh at 18.5c = €2.22 = €0.80 profit + battery at 20% ready to catch all solar with ZERO clipping
~€200/year arbitrage + clipping saved: 18 panels ~600kWh (€216), 20 panels ~900kWh (€324)
💶 PAYBACK WITH NEW RATES (Buy ~9c / Sell 18.5c)
| System | 18 Panels Payback | 20 Panels Payback |
|---|---|---|
| Dyness + Solis | 4.3 - 5.0 years | 4.5 - 5.2 years |
| EcoFlow | 5.3 - 6.4 years | 5.5 - 6.6 years |
| Sigenergy | 7.2 - 9.0 years | 7.4 - 9.2 years |
20 panels adds ~€800 in cost, but they will give you an extra 800kWh production and bigger clipping savings — payback is almost identical, but better long-term if you get an EV or heat pump later.
Who's on the Energia 4hr window? What rate are you actually getting — 8.65c, 8.87c or 9.42c? Share in the group.
Disclaimer: System install prices depend on how easy or hard the install is regarding access, roof type, roof height and pitch, cable run length, meter board condition, and battery location.