We design the heat pump first, from the room-by-room heat loss, and then look at how solar and storage could work with it. PV panels and batteries are quoted separately from the heat pump, after a roof survey, and the controls are set so the heat pump makes use of solar generation when it is available. See heat pump controls and tariffs for how timing and tariffs fit in.
Across County Armagh and County Armagh, winter solar output is modest, so our heat pump designs never rely on it for heating. Scaffolding access for solar in County Armagh is checked at the survey, including terraced streets with shared passages. We plan heat pump and solar electrics together for County Armagh homes so the consumer unit is upgraded only once.
Who it suits
- Households considering a battery to store daytime or cheaper overnight electricity
- Households at home during the day or with flexible hot water timing
- Homes with existing solar PV that currently export much of their output
- Homeowners planning a heat pump who want to add panels at the same time
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland does not have a dedicated heat pump grant for homeowners at present, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply here. Heat pumps have sometimes been funded through the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme, so it is worth checking what is open when you enquire about a home in County Armagh.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump in Northern Ireland until 31 March 2027, the same as in Great Britain. Planning and building control here follow Northern Ireland's own rules, so the survey checks the unit position against them.
Prices
Solar panels and batteries are quoted separately after a roof survey. For heat pump system prices see the guide prices.
Towns we cover in County Armagh
We cover 6 towns in County Armagh for heat pumps with solar panels and batteries. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Northern Ireland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craigavon | BT64 | Lurgan | 7 h 17 min |
| Portadown | BT62 | Craigavon | 7 h 17 min |
| Armagh | BT61 | Keady | 7 h 18 min |
| Keady | BT60 | Armagh | 7 h 19 min |
| Lurgan | BT66 | Craigavon | 7 h 17 min |
| Tandragee | BT63 | Portadown | 7 h 18 min |
Heat pumps with solar panels and batteries questions
How much do solar panels and a battery cost with a heat pump?
Solar PV and batteries are quoted separately from the heat pump, because the price depends on your roof, the number of panels, scaffolding, the inverter and any battery size. We survey the roof and give a written quote for that part of the work. The heat pump itself is priced from its own guide ranges, shown on our prices page.
Can solar panels run my heat pump in winter?
Only partly. In midwinter, solar panels typically generate a small fraction of their summer output, and the shortest days coincide with the highest heating demand. Panels may help on bright winter afternoons, but most winter heating will run on grid electricity or a battery charged from a cheaper overnight tariff. Solar contributes most to hot water from spring to autumn.
Do I need a battery to benefit from solar with a heat pump?
No. Without a battery you can still use solar generation directly by timing hot water heating for the middle of the day. A battery adds flexibility by storing surplus for the evening, or by charging from a cheaper overnight tariff in winter. Whether it suits you depends on how much you would otherwise export and on your tariff.
Can my roof take solar panels?
Most pitched roofs in sound condition can take solar panels, but every roof needs checking. The survey looks at orientation, pitch, shading, roof covering and structure, plus access for scaffolding. Flat roofs can use angled mounting frames. The survey also checks where the inverter and any battery would go and how cables would reach your consumer unit.