Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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1535. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under the new Tams 3, solar capital investment scheme, farmers can export back to the grid for an agreed price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1535 and 1554 together.

To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist 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.

The objective of the TAMS scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV generated electricity onsite to meet their farm electricity demand, including the dwelling house. In this context, it is permissible for excess electricity generated to spill over on to the grid and for the farmer to receive remuneration for the quantity that spills over.

This spill over of generated electricity is paid for under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which is available to all renewable generators including farmers. The price for the spill over electricity is set by the energy provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.

TAMS is an On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and under the new CAP Strategic Plan, it is required that the electricity generated annually from the installed solar PV system does not exceed the annual electricity demand on the farmyard including the dwelling house.

As part of the TAMS application, an ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings annual electricity demand and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development. An application may be rejected or amended if the applicant cannot demonstrate that the electricity produced annually from the solar panels is not in excess of the annual electricity demand of the applicant’s agricultural holding. The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW. An applicant can install additional panels but at their own cost.

The Solar PV installer must be listed on the Department’s register of installers.

Currently grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for the purposes of farm consumption. If the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support (e.g. SEAI) for a larger area of panels, the TAMS 3 unit must be a separate independent system if this additional support is being sought. If no additional non-TAMS support is sought, then the additional panels can be part of the TAMS system.

The electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. Only one dwelling house can be included on the Solar survey.