Caolú
Residential Solar Edition
Welcome back
Sign in to your Caolú account to access the solar assessment tool.
Forgot your password? Reset it here

Don't have an account? Contact us to get started
Reset your password
Enter your email address and we'll send you a link to reset your password.
← Back to Sign In
Loading…
Building your solar assessment…
Calculating generation · savings · payback
Caolú

Let’s build something your
pipeline will feel

☀️ Residential Solar Edition
Step 1 of 7

Customer & Property Details

Capture the prospect’s details and confirm eligibility for the SEAI Solar Grant (max €1,800).

🧭
Smart Start
Fill in all fields for the most accurate proposal
Year built unlocks SEAI grant eligibility. Eircode auto-fills county & irradiance. Both directly affect the savings figures shown on the final report.
☀️ SEAI Grant Structure 2026
€700/kWp for first 2kWp + €200/kWp for each additional kWp up to 4kWp = max €1,800. Confirmed for 2026. 0% VAT on solar supply & installation.
Step 2 of 7

Current Energy Supplier & Usage

Select the customer’s electricity provider to use the correct unit rate for savings calculations.

⚡
Smart Tip — Night Rate
Check if the customer has or can switch to a night rate tariff
A night rate of 6–15c vs a day rate of 37–43c means a battery pays back 1–2 years faster through arbitrage alone. It's worth surfacing this now — before the battery step.
Rates verified March 2026 · Standard 24hr urban rate inc. 9% VAT
Electric Ireland
Ireland's largest supplier. Night boost 2am–4am at 10.52c. Export 19.5c.
37.03c / kWh std
Bord Gáis Energy
EV boost 2am–5am (3 hrs). Smart tariff available. Export 18.5c.
41.59c / kWh std
Energia
EV boost 2am–6am (4 hrs) at 8.87c. Night 11pm–8am. Export 18.5c.
42.65c / kWh std
SSE Airtricity
EV boost 2am–5am (3 hrs). Smart tariff available. Export 19.5c.
41.13c / kWh std
Pinergy
Best CEG export rate at 25c/kWh. EV boost 2am–5am at 5.99c.
41.77c / kWh std
Flogas
Nightsaver 11pm–8am available. Export 18.5c.
39.64c / kWh std

From customer’s bill or smart meter data. National average is 4,200 kWh/year.

Quick select:

System Mounting Type

Select how the solar array will be installed. This determines the site survey screens that follow.

🏠
Rooftop System
Panels mounted on an existing roof. Standard for most residential installs. Orientation constrained by roof direction.
🌿
Ground Mount System
Panels on a dedicated ground frame. Common on rural properties. Freely orientated south at optimal tilt. Higher performance ratio.
Step 3 of 7

Roof Survey & Orientation

Orientation is one of the most critical factors in system yield.

🏠
Smart Recommendation
South-facing is the default — confirm with customer
For most Irish semi-detached and detached homes the primary roof face is south or south-west. Use a compass app or Google Maps satellite view to confirm orientation before selecting. This is the single biggest variable in yield calculation.
📐 Orientation Yield Guide
South-facing at 30°–35° tilt = 100% yield. Every degree off optimal affects output. This feeds directly into kWh generation estimates.
🧭 Live Compass — Point phone at roof face
N S E W NE SE SW NW
---°
· · ·
Tap to enable compass
🧭
South
100% yield
Optimal
↘️
South-East
97% yield
Near optimal
↙️
South-West
96% yield
Good performance
⬅️
East
87% yield
Morning peak
➡️
West
87% yield
Afternoon peak
↔️
East+West
92% yield
Extended window
⬆️
North
65% yield
Not recommended
🏠
Flat Roof
90% yield
Ballast mounted

Roof Panel Layout

Based on survey — how many panels fit on each roof face?

8
0
🏠 Roof Space Guide
A standard panel is approx. 1.7m × 1.1m (1.87m²). Average semi-detached holds 8–12 panels south-facing. Keep 200mm clearance from ridge.
Step 4 of 7

Solar Panel Selection

Choose panel technology and the specific model. Higher efficiency = more power per m².

⭐
Smart Recommendation
Loading recommendation…
—
System kWp
—
kWh/yr Gen.
—
Annual Saving
—
SEAI Grant
—
kg CO₂ Saved
10
Select a panel below to calculate
Monocrystalline Panels
Standard — highest efficiency per m². Uniform black appearance.
Bifacial Panels
Generate power from reflected light on rear. Best on flat roofs or carports.
⚙️ Inverter & Optimiser Options▼
🔌
Inverter Recommendation
Loading inverter recommendation…
Power Optimisers
DC optimisers minimise shade losses and provide panel-level monitoring. Recommended where any shading exists.
Inverter Type
Most Common
String Inverter
Best for: Unshaded roofs
Converts DC from all panels together into AC. Highest efficiency (97–99%) when panels are evenly matched. The go-to choice for clean south-facing installs.
✓ Lowest cost
✓ 97–99% efficiency
✗ Whole string affected by shade
Battery-Ready
Hybrid Inverter
Best for: Battery systems
Manages solar, battery and grid simultaneously. Required if adding battery storage. Night-rate arbitrage, backup power (EPS mode). Most new Irish installs with battery use a hybrid inverter.
✓ Battery integration built-in
✓ Night-rate arbitrage capable
✗ Higher cost than string only
Per-Panel
Micro-Inverters
Best for: Shaded/complex roofs
One small inverter per panel. Shade on one panel has zero effect on others. Panel-level monitoring. 25yr warranty typical.
✓ Panel-level independence
✓ 25yr warranty
✗ Highest cost per watt
💡 IP Rating: IP65 vs IP66?
IP65 = fully dust-tight + water jets. IP66 = same but withstands powerful jets. For Irish conditions, IP65 is generally sufficient for sheltered roof-mounted inverters. Specify IP66 for exposed outdoor locations.
Step 5 of 7

Battery Storage Options

Battery storage transforms a solar system from daytime-only into true energy independence.

🔋
Smart Recommendation
Loading battery recommendation…
🔌 Why Battery Storage in Ireland?
Without a battery, 40–60% of generated solar is exported at 18–26c/kWh. With a battery, self-consumption rises to 70–85%, using energy worth 35–41c/kWh. Payback improves by 1.5–2.5 years.
Battery System Types
Option A
All-in-One: Hybrid Inverter + Integrated Battery
Most Popular
A single unit combines the hybrid inverter and battery. Clean installation, night-rate scheduling, backup power. The hybrid inverter manages solar, battery, grid export, and night-rate charging automatically.
Typical capacity5 kWh (single), scalable to 15–20 kWh
ChemistryLiFePO4 — safest, no thermal runaway risk
Backup (EPS)✅ Yes — <20ms switchover
SEAI Eligible✅ Yes
Warranty10 years standard (4,000–6,000 cycles)
Round-trip efficiency94–97%
Number of 5 kWh units:
0
0 kWh
TOTAL STORAGE
Option B
Standalone / AC-Coupled Battery
Works alongside an existing string inverter, or added to an existing solar system later. AC-coupled — connects to the home's AC circuit.
Typical capacity5.5–10 kWh (scalable)
ChemistryLiFePO4 — 4,000+ cycle life
SEAI Eligible✅ Yes
Warranty10 years / throughput-based
Number of units:
0
0 kWh
TOTAL STORAGE

Smart Charging Strategy

Include Night-Rate Charge Scheduling
Battery charges during cheapest night-rate hours. Discharges during expensive day rates. Requires hybrid inverter with smart scheduling.
Step 6 of 7

Optional Add-Ons

Expand the system with carports, EV charging, immersion diversion, and premium mounting.

🔧
Smart Recommendation
Loading add-on recommendations…
Add-On
🚗 Solar Carport Structure
Ideal for north-facing homes, limited roof space, or customers wanting to shelter their vehicle and generate solar simultaneously.
Typical capacity6–12 panels per bay (2.4–5.5 kWp)
Panel typeBifacial recommended (rear bounce from ground)
PlanningUsually exempt development within curtilage
Include Solar Carport in Proposal
Add-On
⚡ EV Home Charger
Charge from your own solar for free during the day, or at night-rate prices overnight.
Typical output7.4 kW (Type 2 Mode 3)
SEAI EV Charger Grant✅ €300 SEAI EVHS grant available
Smart schedulingCharges when solar surplus detected or off-peak
Include EV Charger in Proposal
Add-On
🔥 Solar Immersion Diverter
Routes surplus electricity to hot water before exporting at a lower price. One of the fastest-payback solar add-ons available.
SavingTypically €180–300/yr
SeasonHot water free March–October
PaybackTypically 2–4 years
Include Immersion Diverter
Standard Inclusion
🔩 Premium Roof Mounting System
Anodised aluminium rails, stainless steel fixings. Wind-load certified for Irish conditions. 25-year structural warranty.
Include Premium Mounting System
💰 Installer — System Cost Estimate

Enter the full installed cost before the SEAI grant. This drives the payback timeline on the report — the SEAI grant will be automatically deducted. Leave blank and the report will use a market-rate estimate.

☀️ Assessment Complete

Well done on completing
the assessment for
your customer.

Your personalised solar proposal is ready to download. Before you do, here is a quick look at the headline numbers for this job, along with a ready-to-send follow up email template that will keep the momentum going after you leave.

System Size
Annual Saving
Payback Period
📋 How to use your PDF effectively
Your proposal contains three pages covering the full system specification, a detailed financial analysis, and the signed consent declaration. Share it with your customer immediately so the numbers are in their hands before they have a chance to look elsewhere.

The report is built around their property, their supplier, and their tariff, which makes it far more compelling than a generic quote. Walk them through the annual saving figure and the payback timeline before you leave. Those two numbers close more deals than any brochure.

Use the email template below to follow up within 24 hours. Customers who receive a follow up email the same day are significantly more likely to progress to a site survey.
✉️ Ready to Send Follow Up Email
Copy the template below, paste it into your email client, attach the PDF, and send. Add your own name and contact details where indicated.
⚠️ A note on the figures
The savings, generation, and payback figures in this proposal are strong estimates based on the information entered during the assessment. They are not a final guarantee. A full on site survey will allow you to provide a precise installation price and confirm the generation figures based on the actual roof survey, rafter positions, and consumer unit configuration. Always set this expectation with the customer clearly before they sign anything.
🎉 PDF Downloaded

Now you have got the proposal
into their hands. Here is how
you close this deal.

The Irish residential solar market has a short decision window. Most customers who do not hear back within 48 hours begin comparing quotes. These steps are designed to keep the momentum with you.

Your next steps
1
Send the follow up email today
Do not wait until tomorrow. Customers who receive a follow up email on the same day as the assessment are far more likely to commit to a site survey. Use the template you just copied, attach the PDF, and send it before you get back to the office. The email is written to reinforce the key numbers and explain the report in plain language, so it does the work for you even when you are not in the room.
2
Follow up by phone within 48 hours
A brief call to ask whether they have had a chance to look at the report is all it takes. Do not pitch again. Ask one question: which part of the proposal stood out most for them? Their answer tells you exactly what to focus on when booking the site survey. If it is the savings figure, talk payback. If it is the SEAI grant, emphasise the 2026 deadline. If it is the environmental impact, lean into that.
3
Book the site survey before you hang up
The site survey is not a second sales visit. It is a technical step that leads directly to a signed contract. Frame it that way. A typical residential survey takes around 45 to 60 minutes. You will confirm the exact panel layout, check the roof structure and rafter positions, review the consumer unit, and measure the cable runs. Everything you need to issue a firm written quotation and begin the SEAI grant application.
4
Remind them about the 2026 SEAI grant window
The SEAI Solar PV Grant was held at €1,800 for 2026 — the planned annual reduction was paused this year. Future years are unconfirmed. This means acting in 2026 secures the current maximum and avoids any uncertainty about what happens next year. That is a real and honest reason to move promptly, and it is one of the most effective closing points available to you in the Irish market right now. Use it, but do not overstate it. It should be one reason among several, not a pressure tactic.
5
Handle the most common objection — upfront cost
Most Irish homeowners who do not proceed cite upfront cost as the primary reason, even when the payback period is under eight years. The most effective response is to reframe the cost as an investment with a guaranteed return rather than a purchase. A €9,000 system that saves €1,200 per year is a better financial decision than leaving that same €9,000 in a deposit account. Most customers already know this. They just need someone to say it clearly.
Coming Soon to Caolú

Now that you have sold the job,
we are about to have you covered
for the site survey too.

The Caolú Solar BOM and Design Tool is in development now. Carry out your on site survey, enter your roof measurements, rafter spacing, and cable routes, and the tool generates a complete bill of materials, a single line diagram, an electrical test results record, and a full documentation pack with installer sign-off under eIDAS. Everything you need for SEAI compliance and technical documentation, built into the same platform. Stay tuned.