Portmagee is the best place in Kerry for solar energy production but Killarney is languishing in 99th place, according to figures released by solar panels provider NRG.
With potential to produce 4,016.12 kWh p/y, Portmagee takes the best solar title followed closely behind by St Finan’s Bay with 3,967.47 kWh and Valentia Island with 3,934.32 kWh.
At the opposite end of the table are the mountainous and hilly areas of Maum (3,238.33 kWh), Lickeen (3,258.07 kWh) and Dunloe (3,276.24 kWh).
Dingle takes 36th place, Tralee 39th, Listowel 45th, Killorglin 50th, Castleisland 77th, Kenmare 91st and Killarney 99th.
Assuming a 4 kWp system, residents of Killarney can expect to generate an estimated 3492.61 kWh annually which is slightly below average for Kerry.
The company said Kerry residents can expect to produce between 3,238.33 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 4,016.12 kWh of electricity per year from a 4kWp system – equivalent to €1,392.48 and €1,726.93, respectively, at 43c per kWh.
The average amount of potential energy production from solar in Kerry is 3,549.31 kWh.
NRG analysed how much electricity Kerry residents can expect to produce from solar. 166 locations in the county were captured in the study and calculations account for weather conditions, solar radiation, along with many other factors, for each area.
The results of the solar panels in Kerry study show that, with a 4 kWp system and a unit rate of 43 cents, on average Kerry residents can produce €1,526.20 worth of electricity p/y from solar. Most electricity is generated during the summer months before gradually decreasing.
The study methodology saw 166 areas in Kerry captured and energy calculations take into account solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and are based on a south facing, 4kWp system with fixed panels on a 35-degree slope.
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