Northern Ireland has just experienced one of the wettest months in over 150 years. Grey skies. Heavy rain. The kind of weather that makes people question whether solar panels are really worth it here.
So let’s talk about real numbers.
During that record-breaking month, one of our customers still reduced their electricity bill by 62.3%.
That’s not a summer peak figure.
That’s not a “perfect conditions” example.
That’s solar performing when the weather was against it.
The setup
This home is powered by SOLARWATT panels, paired with a Libbi inverter and battery system, and supported by a smart Share Energy day and night tariff.
Together, they create a system designed for Northern Ireland’s climate, not California’s.
Here’s how it works:
- The battery charges overnight using cheaper off-peak electricity.
- During the day, the home runs on stored energy and solar generation when available.
- The system avoids expensive daytime standard rates as much as possible.
Even when solar production is lower due to poor weather, the battery and tariff strategy keep costs down.
The result
Before solar and battery:
£4.62 per day
After installation and optimisation:
£1.74 per day
That’s a saving of nearly £3 per day, in the worst weather month on record.
Multiply that across a year, especially during brighter months, and the savings become even more significant.
Solar in Northern Ireland: does it really work?
There’s a common myth that solar only makes sense in sunnier climates. The science says otherwise.
Solar panels don’t need blazing heat, they need daylight. Even in overcast conditions, panels continue to generate electricity. Combine that with smart battery storage and the right tariff, and you’re no longer relying on the weather alone to drive savings.
In fact, modern systems are designed specifically to balance:
- Solar generation
- Battery storage
- Smart tariffs
- Household demand
The result is lower bills and greater energy independence, all year round.
Imagine what It can do in summer
If solar can deliver a 62.3% reduction in one of the wettest months in 150 years, imagine the performance during spring and summer when daylight hours increase and generation rises significantly.
This is where systems really start to shine.
If you’re thinking about solar for your home or business, now is the time to explore what’s possible.
At Solar Power NI, we design systems around your property, your usage and your tariff — not generic assumptions.
Get in touch and let’s calculate what your savings could look like.
