SOLAR FOR IRISH FARMS PAYS
Updated April 17th, 2026
Travel the road across the Vee, the stunning pass that connects Waterford to Tipperary, and you’ll likely play a version of auto-slalom with the wandering sheep who graze the surrounding hills. Bucolic, maybe, but also the kind of “dual use” of land that could lead to disaster on a dark night.
Happily, the “dual use” seen on the Vee, is not what Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, meant when he said in late March that to meet climate commitments Ireland will need to further integrate solar and wind farms with land traditionally devoted to agriculture.
“While the development of solar on agricultural land is a change of use,” O’Brien said, “it holds significant potential for biodiversity, helping to meet nature restoration goals, in additional to offering an attractive income diversification opportunity for farmers, and is compatible with some farming activities.”
The minister’s remarks were made in reply to Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl whose parliamentary question suggested that the use of prime agricultural land for electricity generation should be avoided. “Would [solar farms]”, the TD asked, “be best located on marginal land or cutaway bogs”.
Irish farms benefit from the acreage needed to roll out solar at scale. Sheds can provide the kind of extensive roof area that makes them ideal for mounting solar. Those who farm particular kinds of livestock – sheep for example – would find that their herds graze happily under ground-mounted solar panels. It is foolish, to suggest that agriculture and renewable energy systems cannot exist fruitfully side by side.
Challenges and Opportunities Scaling Solar For Irish Farms
O’Brien has raised a crucial issue, and one which needs to be part of public debate. Co-locating solar farms on agricultural land has a proven record of success where it has been rolled out.
O’Brien and his colleagues also now need to have a good look at how other programmes meant to support our farming community in the renewables transition are working.
Changes made to planning law back in 2022 have made it easier for farmers to install solar panels. Most rooftop installations on agricultural buildings, as on homes, are no longer required to get planning permission. With certain limits on size, ground-mounted systems are also exempt.
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) includes the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS), which offers up to 60% grant aid for solar PV systems. Between available grant aid and tax incentives, investing in solar for farms should be a viable and attractive option for farmers looking to transition away from fossil fuels or diversity farm income.
It’s been distressing to note, though, that something in the process has broken down. Last month, Ciaran Kells, chair of the Micro Renewable Energy Federation said Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon had “effectively torpedoed” TAMS solar programmes.
“The interest among farmers for renewable power to both reduce their own energy costs, and cut emissions, has been phenomenal.” Kells said. “TAMS supports have been critical to this enthusiasm.
“What the minister is planning to do,” Kells added, “is effectively reject almost 90% of solar grant applications, which will deny up to 1,500 farmers the grant supports they need.”
Kells rightly questions the Government’s commitment to helping farmers reduce their carbon emissions and lower their energy costs.
Helping Ireland’s agricultural sector make the switch to solar has benefits for us all. Grant programmes need the funding to help make the transition economically feasible.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
