Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

The Solar Capital Investment scheme is one of these measures which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy. To encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology together with battery storage on Irish farms.

I am aware of the potential for restrictions on the export capacity for any individual farm seeking to install solar panels on their holding. ESB Networks may place restrictions on the maximum export from a farm depending upon the capacity of the local Network to take electricity from renewal sources. It is my understanding that the restrictions are due to the capacity of the local power lines, the size of the relevant transformer, the number of customers being fed by the line, the distance from the transformer, the presence of any other solar panels on the line and other loading issues.

ESB Networks review each application for the connection of solar panels to the Network and determine the maximum export capacity for each installation of solar panels. It is my understanding the ESB Networks are working to develop the electricity network to maximise the amount of renewable electricity production systems that can be connected to the electricity grid.

I would also like to point out that it is a requirement of the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme that applicants may only be grant-aided on systems that provide power up to the annual average demand on the holding. On that basis, farmers submitting an application for grant-aid under the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment scheme should be installing a system which equates to their annual on-farm demand.