Written answers
Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Solar Energy Guidelines
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1553. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views generally on the availability and restrictions on grant aid for solar panels under TAMS; his views specifically on the scoring system on TAMS applications as they relate to farmers who are not qualifying as young farmers and farmers who are not farming on designated lands; if he is satisfied that all applications can be approved and funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12870/23]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In order to encourage the purchase of solar investments thereby reducing dependence on fossil energy by farmers, the solar scheme will be ring fenced with its own investment ceiling increased from €80,000 to €90,000 and the grant rate increased from 40% to 60% and the maximum installed capacity increased from 11kW to 62kW. There is no distinction between young farmers and other farmers on solar panel investments. The size of installation is also subject to the capacity of the grid connection to accommodate export of electricity.
The separate investment ceiling for solar PV, now provides an opportunity for farmers to realise energy cost savings and also contribute to energy security and decarbonisation nationally.
The scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.
Farmers may also include the energy demand of one dwelling house per holding in the sizing of the solar panel array, which will greatly benefit farm families during the current energy crisis.
Adoption of sustainable energy practices at farm level, including energy efficiency, deployment of renewables at farm level and the provision of agriculture feedstocks for renewable energy generation is a key climate pillar for the agriculture sector in:
- Reducing energy costs on farm;
- Reducing the carbon footprint at farm level; and
- Contributing to the decarbonisation of the overall energy system
TAMS 3 is a demand led Scheme and all applications are subject to ranking and selection. The ranking system has been designed to fairly rank applications. Details of the marking sheet is available on my Department’s website.
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1555. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the situation regarding TAMS grant aid available for solar panels and his views on whether such panels can be erected on a farm dwellinghouse as well as farm sheds; if battery storage and inverter can be put where the current fuse box is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12872/23]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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 purpose of the Tams scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV generated electricity onsite to meet their farmyard electricity demand, including the dwelling house. Solar panels granted aided under TAMs shall be erected on farm sheds only; it is not permissible to erect them on the dwelling house. This is a strict condition of grant aid.
The electricity consumption of the dwelling house may 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.
The inverter, batteries and all ancillary equipment must be located in a farm shed; it is not permitted to locate any of this equipment in a dwelling house where the fuse box may be located.
No comments