It is worth being clear about the seasons. Solar panels generate most from spring to early autumn, when a heat pump is mainly heating hot water. In December and January, when heating demand peaks, a typical roof produces only a small fraction of its summer output and covers little of the heat pump's needs. The strongest fit is daytime hot water heating for much of the year, with a battery or a time-of-use tariff helping in winter.
Across County Down and County Down, winter solar output is modest, so our heat pump designs never rely on it for heating. We plan heat pump and solar electrics together for County Down homes so the consumer unit is upgraded only once. Scaffolding access for solar in County Down is checked at the survey, including terraced streets with shared passages.
Who it suits
- 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
- Homes with a roof facing anywhere from east through south to west, with little shading
- Households at home during the day or with flexible hot water timing
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 Down.
Installing heat pumps has been zero-rated for VAT in Northern Ireland since 1 May 2023, in line with the rest of the UK, until 31 March 2027. Northern Ireland has its own permitted development rules and building regulations, and we confirm what applies to your property at survey.
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 Down
We cover 13 towns in County Down 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor (County Down) | BT20 | Newtownards | 7 h 14 min |
| Newtownards | BT23 | Comber | 7 h 15 min |
| Newry | BT35 | Warrenpoint | 7 h 20 min |
| Banbridge | BT32 | Dromore | 7 h 18 min |
| Ballynahinch | BT24 | Downpatrick | 7 h 17 min |
| Comber | BT23 | Newtownards | 7 h 15 min |
| Donaghadee | BT21 | Bangor (County Down) | 7 h 14 min |
| Downpatrick | BT30 | Ballynahinch | 7 h 18 min |
| Dromore | BT25 | Banbridge | 7 h 17 min |
| Holywood | BT18 | Newtownabbey | 7 h 14 min |
| Kilkeel | BT34 | Warrenpoint | 7 h 21 min |
| Newcastle | BT33 | Downpatrick | 7 h 20 min |
| Warrenpoint | BT34 | Newry | 7 h 21 min |
Heat pumps with solar panels and batteries questions
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.
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.
Should I fit solar panels before or after a heat pump?
Either order works, but planning both together helps. Knowing the heat pump's electricity use helps size the panels and any battery, and the electrical work for both can be coordinated, including the consumer unit and any notification to the network operator. If you already have panels, the heat pump controls can be set to use their output for hot water.
Is a solar diverter useful with a heat pump?
It can be, but less so than with a gas boiler. A diverter heats water through the immersion heater, which turns one unit of electricity into one unit of heat, while a heat pump typically makes around three. Scheduling the heat pump to heat water at midday usually uses solar more efficiently, with a diverter adding top-ups on very sunny days.