What It’s Really Like Living with Solar – A Day in the Life
You’ve probably seen solar panels popping up on rooftops across Ireland—maybe even in your own neighbourhood. But what does it actually mean to live with solar power day to day? Does your home feel different? Do you need to change your habits? Is it even worth it with all the cloudy weather?
If you’re curious about how solar energy fits into real life, you’re not alone. At Planet Blue Energy, we speak to homeowners every day who want to understand what it’s really like after the panels are installed. So, here’s a peek behind the curtain: a typical day in the life of a household powered by solar.
7:00 AM – Wake Up to Free Energy
The sun is rising, and so are your solar panels. Even on overcast Irish mornings, your system begins to generate electricity as soon as it gets light. You’re making your coffee, boiling the kettle, and powering up the toaster—and instead of drawing that electricity from the grid, it’s coming straight from the sky.
This is where your solar investment really begins to pay off. You’re using clean, renewable energy at the source, reducing your electricity bills from the moment you start your day.
If you’ve opted for a hot water divert, a feature many Planet Blue Energy customers choose, your immersion heater may have already kicked in, using excess solar energy to heat your water in the background—meaning your morning shower is powered by sunshine, not electricity from the grid.
9:00 AM – Appliances Doing Their Thing
With the school run done and you settling in to work or heading out, your solar system continues to produce power throughout the day. If you’re working from home, your computer, lights, and phone charging are all tapping into solar energy.
If you’re away, no worries—solar panels don’t “waste” energy. Any unused electricity can either:
- Be stored in your solar battery (if you have one), or
- Be exported to the grid for a small credit via the Microgeneration Support Scheme.
Planet Blue Energy helps customers decide whether a battery is worth it, based on your usage patterns and home size. While not essential, batteries let you make the most of your energy and reduce reliance on the grid at night.
1:00 PM – Powering Through Peak Production
Midday is typically the sweet spot for solar generation, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you’re running a dishwasher, doing laundry, or cooking lunch, this is the best time to do it—because you’re likely running 100% on solar power.
With a smart monitoring app (which comes with all PBE installations), you can see how much power you’re producing and using in real time. This often encourages small habit changes—like shifting heavy appliance use to earlier in the day—without really changing your lifestyle.
6:00 PM – Evening Draw
As the sun dips, your solar production slows. This is where solar storage comes into play. If you have a battery, it begins to discharge stored energy from earlier in the day to cover your evening use—TV, lights, cooking, and more.
If you don’t have a battery, you’ll start drawing power from the grid again, but your daytime savings still add up. Most households with solar experience a noticeable drop in their electricity bills, even without storage.
10:30 PM – Lights Out, Panels Rest
At night, your panels rest, but your savings keep working. Over time, solar users in Ireland typically see a 40–70% reduction in their annual electricity costs, depending on usage and system size. And that’s before factoring in grants or future electricity price rises.
The Unexpected Benefits
Living with solar isn’t just about the numbers. Here are a few real-life perks PBE customers often mention:
1. Peace of Mind
Knowing you’re protected from rising energy prices and less reliant on fossil fuels gives a real sense of independence.
2. Environmental Impact
Seeing your carbon footprint shrink in real time is powerful—especially for families who want to teach kids about sustainability.
3. Home Value Boost
Many PBE clients have reported increased interest when selling their home, thanks to the added value of solar.
What About Cloudy Days?
Let’s be honest: we’re in Ireland. It rains. A lot. But the good news is solar still works. Modern panels don’t need full sun—they generate power from daylight. While peak output is lower on grey days, your system continues to produce electricity throughout the year.
In fact, Ireland’s solar yield is better than you might think, especially from March to October.
Living with solar is surprisingly simple. Once installed, your system quietly goes about its business—no moving parts, no daily maintenance, and no lifestyle overhaul required.
Most Planet Blue Energy customers say they hardly notice the panels are there—until they get their next energy bill and see the savings.
Whether you’re driven by cost savings, environmental goals, or energy independence, solar power is more than just a smart investment—it’s a small lifestyle shift that adds up to a big impact.
If you’re ready to start your solar journey or just have questions about whether your home is suitable, get in touch with Planet Blue Energy. We’re here to help you every step of the way—from design to grant application to installation.
Ready to Make the Switch?