What does living with solar actually feel like? Here’s a realistic, hour-by-hour snapshot based on how AEI solar PV systems are used.
7:30am — Quiet start
Kettle on, lights up, kids’ breakfast, all powered as the array begins to generate. There’s no “start-up routine” or warm-up; solar just works silently in the background. (Maintenance is minimal; AEI recommends a clean roughly every three years.)
10:45am — Home office humming
Daylight ramps up. Appliances, laptop, and hot water diverter (if fitted) use live solar first. With a battery, any excess is stored automatically for the evening.
1:00pm — Lunch & top-up miles
The car is on the driveway getting a daytime boost. Charging from on-site solar is one of the simplest ways to cut the carbon footprint of driving and reduce dependence on grid electricity.
6:30pm — Peak made easy
Evening cooking, TV and laundry run largely on stored solar if you’ve added a battery, exactly the scenario AEI flags as the best fit for storage (daytime empty, evening heavy use). HRV quietly keeps the air fresh while conserving warmth.
10:00pm — Nothing to manage
If you generated more than you used, your provider can pay for exported units under microgeneration tariffs. There’s no extra button to press; AEI completes the compliance bits during setup and grant support.
Installations are quick: AEI has been installing since 2006, and typical PV installs take ~2 days (sometimes just one), with AEI handling the grant paperwork and ESB Networks notifications as part of the process.
