Why solar energy is booming in Wexford: How one local business is driving the change

Based in Glynn, Co. Wexford, Paul Laffan is the owner of a thriving solar energy business that installs Solar PV panels and EV chargers across the South East and beyond….

Since starting the company Customer Solar PV in 2019, Paul and his team have completed thousands of installations — helping homes, farms, and businesses make the switch to clean, renewable energy.

When asked to tell us more about his business and why he set it up, Paul shared his passion for solar energy and commitment to customer service.

“We are a Solar PV company in business since 2019. We install Solar PV panels & EV Chargers on Domestic, Commercial and Agricultural buildings. I could talk about Solar PV all day! We have done thousands of installs by now and offer excellent customer service from start to finish,” he told Wexford Weekly.

Paul says that one of the most common misconceptions about solar power in Ireland is that it doesn’t work well in cloudy conditions — something he’s keen to clear up.

“The biggest misconceptions about Solar panels in Ireland is probably that because Ireland has a lot of cloudy or overcast days, solar panels won’t produce much electricity. The reality is that Solar panels generate electricity from light, not just direct sunshine. Modern panels can capture diffuse light (i.e., in overcast conditions). Also, the cooler climate in Ireland can be an advantage for performance, because very high temperatures can reduce efficiency. Another misconception is that the cost of solar panels is very high. However, installation costs have come down significantly in recent years. There is no VAT on domestic installations and payback is usually about 5 years.”

Explaining how his team assesses whether a property is suitable for solar panels, Paul described the thorough, step-by-step process they follow to ensure each system is perfectly tailored to the customer’s needs.

“There are a couple of steps to determine if a home or business is suitable for solar panels. Usually, I’ll do a desktop assessment to check: Roof orientation (south, east, west, or north facing), Roof angle/pitch, Shading from nearby trees, chimneys, or buildings & available roof area and number of panels that can fit. If the initial review looks positive, an electrician will visit your home or business to offer advice and to do a detailed assessment, including: Roof condition and structure (can it safely hold panels?), Cable routing options (how to connect panels to inverter and consumer unit), Position for inverter and optional battery storage, and Electrical capacity check (main fuse, isolator, grid connection, tail size etc).”

When it comes to savings, Paul says the benefits for the average Wexford household can be significant — and the long-term impact even greater.

“For an average house in Wexford, with a modest ten panel system (assuming decent roof orientation, reasonable electricity usage, no major shading) you might expect somewhere around €800–€1,200 annually in savings.”

“Over the lifetime of the system (say 25–30 years), the cumulative savings can be tens of thousands of euros, depending on usage, electricity price inflation, export income…” he told Wexford Weekly.

Looking ahead, Paul believes that solar energy is not just the future — it’s already transforming how people power their homes and businesses across Wexford and beyond.

“Solar is booming at the moment and I think the uptake will continue to grow in the years to come as more people buy electric cars and homes become more reliant on electricity for heat pumps. The price of electricity is high and installing solar panels makes so much sense. Grants are available for most all scenarios and are very generous, especially TAMS for farms and non domestic grants also.”

“The option to export to the grid and be paid for your excess means that no power is wasted if your home produces more than you use. Battery storage is getting better and cheaper, hot water energy diverters allow you to heat your water with excess generation. With an app on your phone, you can check solar generation and history.”

He added that as solar technology evolves, it will bring even more opportunities for local businesses and farms to save money and become energy independent.

“For local businesses and farms, solar PV will offer even greater benefits: lower running costs, reliable power, and stronger energy independence. As technology advances, solar panels will become smaller, more efficient, and even built into roofing materials, while smarter energy systems will automatically optimise when to use or sell electricity back to the grid. Solar energy isn’t just the future — it’s Ireland’s fastest-growing power source today. By investing now, Wexford homeowners and businesses can be part of a cleaner, more sustainable, and more affordable energy future.”

With his experience, passion, and dedication to quality service, Paul Laffan is helping lead Wexford’s shift toward renewable energy, one rooftop at a time.