Homes across Ireland
Use spare solar electricity to heat your water.
See when spare solar electricity can heat water in your home in Ireland and whether a diverter, battery or another option would help more.
Start my free home check
Start with your building
Start with your hot-water use, cylinder and spare solar electricity.
A solar diverter can send spare solar electricity to an immersion heater. WRB checks your hot-water use, cylinder and controls before recommending one.
Solar electricity can heat water through a suitable immersion heater when your panels are producing more than the home is using. How much it can help depends on the weather, your household and your cylinder.
A diverter is one option. WRB compares it with a battery, EV charging and export rather than assuming every solar home needs one.
What a good plan should help you do
- Use suitable spare solar electricity at home
- Make the diverter work with your existing controls
- Choose it only when it is genuinely useful
What we need to know
You do not need every detail before getting in touch. Share what you know and we’ll tell you what matters next.
Check that you have spare solar electricity
A diverter is useful only when your solar panels are producing more electricity than the home is using and you need hot water. We look at when you use electricity and whether another option might help more.
Check the cylinder and controls
The cylinder size, immersion heater, thermostat and existing heating controls determine whether a diverter will work and how it should run.
Compare the other options
A battery, EV charger or different energy rate may use the same spare electricity. We compare the choices rather than treating a diverter as an automatic add-on.
Common questions
When should I apply for an SEAI solar grant?
Apply and wait for your grant offer before installation starts. Eligibility and the approved amount depend on the current SEAI scheme and your property. See our grants guide for the official sources.
Will solar panels work on my roof?
We look at the usable space, roof direction, shade, condition, your fuse box and how you use electricity. We check these before recommending a system.
How many solar panels do I need?
It depends on how much safe roof space you have, how much electricity the panels may produce and when you use electricity. Plans for a battery, EV charger or electric heating can also affect the size.
Will my solar panels work during a power cut?
Most solar panel systems switch off when the grid goes down. Keeping power on requires compatible equipment and a separate backup circuit designed for that purpose. Solar panels or a battery do not provide backup automatically.
What paperwork should an Irish solar installation include?
Confirm the applicable ESB Networks connection process, electrical certification, commissioning records and handover with your installer. An SEAI-supported domestic installation also requires a post-works BER before grant payment.
Can I receive payments for spare solar electricity?
Eligible exports can be credited by your electricity supplier under Irish microgeneration arrangements. The tariff and payment method depend on your supplier, metering and registered connection.
One plan, one team