Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing incentives for solar panels on Irish farms through grant aiding of at least 18-kilowatt panels and batteries. [41740/22]
View answerMy Department currently provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
Following a review of power requirements I have recently increased the maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid for the Pig and Poultry scheme to 62kw. A review is also taking place on solar requirements for other schemes.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) submitted to the EU Commission for approval last December.
My Department is also working closely with Minister Eamon Ryan, whose Department launched the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021, which are a suite of new measures which that Department has introduced for renewable production this year.
I will continue to engage with Minister Eamon Ryan and his Department and I am examining all ways to support farmers in this area.
