Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is great potential in this area and there is great appetite among farmers as well. The scheme that is in place is really suitable for them to be able to meet their own needs and those of their farm. It can include the dwelling house as well. Battery storage is also grant aided at the rate of 60%. This means that farmers can store energy and be able to use it when needed. There is also the capacity for farmers to contribute more broadly through a feed-in tariff whereby there is investment outside of TAMS 3. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is putting in place tariffs to be able to pay farmers for that work. There is a real opportunity there. Farmers are always very innovative in looking for new opportunities and looking to maximise their capacity to contribute to society. They appreciate the economic potential of their farm and its resources. I think we will see significant uptake in the coming years and significant contribution from farmers to energy production through solar.

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