Solar PV Panels rethinking energy
Solar panels for farms
With the cost of electricity increasing year on year, many farms are looking to install solar panels in order to reduce their energy bills and maintain profitability.
With vast roofs and expanses of unused land, farms are ideal locations for large solar PV systems that can offset high daily electricity consumption and help protect your business against future rises in electricity costs. The huge uptake in solar panels within the agriculture sector speaks volumes and is a true testament to the reliability and strong returns offered.
Gilroys.ie provide a turnkey supply, installation and maintenance service for agricultural solar panels and offer a range of finance options.
Factors that will impact how much energy a Solar PV system will generate are:
The Case for Solar PV
Contrary to popular belief, a Photovoltaic system does not necessarily need bright sunlight to operate successfully. A correctly engineered system will continue to generate electricity even on cloudy days.
The first practical application of solar photovoltaic’s was to power orbiting satellites and other spacecraft, but today solar photovoltaic systems are becoming far more main-stream and can be used for any number of exciting applications. While traditionally most systems were grid-connected whereby excess electricity was fed onto the national grid, off-grid or hybrid systems are becoming more popular.
There are many reasons for this on the most basic level off-grid battery storage systems allow communities where there is no grid to have access to electricity. There has also been a trend in the developed world towards on-site storage. Electricity prices are increasing to such an extent that in many cases electricity generated by PV panels and stored on site is cheaper than the electricity that you can buy from the grid.
Many of the grids are in need of upgrading and therefore unable to deal with demand, as a result, we are facing the real threat of grid black-outs in the not too distant future.
“Very happy with our PV Solar system. Has been running now for 8 months and we have noticed a big difference in our electric bills. I would definatly recommend Martin and his team. They were very professional from start to finish.”
Grants for Farmers
SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
The SEAI now have a grant available for generating renewable electricity using solar photovoltaic panels. The grant is €900 per kWp up to 2 kWp and €300 for every additional kWp up to a maximum of 4 kWp.
Example:
- 1kWp -> Grant Value = €900
- 2kWp -> Grant Value = €1800
- 3kWp -> Grant Value = €2100
- 4kWp -> Grant Value = €2400
TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme)
Eligible farmers can now get avail of grant aid of 40% for up to 11kw of solar PV and 6kw of battery storage. Young, qualified farmers can get up to 60% of grant aid on the same system. The grant is available for dairy, beef, tillage, and sheep farmers. Pig and Poultry farmers can also avail of TAMS grant aid of 40% up to 62kw under the “Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme”.
The minimum amount of solar panel investment which is eligible for approval under this scheme is €2,000 and the maximum is €80,000.
Note: For both the Tams grant schemes, export to the national grid is not permitted and 100% of the generated power must be consumed on the farm. An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted to demonstrate that all the electricity produced from the PV panels will be consumed on the farm.
ACA (Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme)
Solar PV panels qualify for the ACA scheme as energy efficient equipment allowing companies write down the cost of such equipment in the year of purchase, rather than over the eight year period that is standard for plant and machinery capital allowances.
If you wish to find out more information related to solar grants or check your business’s eligibility for availing of a grant please get in contact with us today.
Agricultural Solar PV install gallery
