47 applications made for solar panels under TAMS II

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has received 47 applications for solar panels under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) since the start of 2019.

In a recent parliamentary question, Laois-Offaly TD, Carol Nolan, queried the uptake of the scheme and funding provided to farmers with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.

The minister responded:

However, the total amount of funding provided to farmers was not provided.

Commenting, deputy Nolan said:

"This has the benefit of being not only an environmentally sustainable option, but also economically stable one for farmers."

Responding to the fact that there have only been 47 applications for solar PV  panels under TAMS II since 2019, deputy Nolan said it "highlights how much work needs to be done, either in making the option more appealing for farmers and in terms of communicating the benefits in a better way".

In a separate question to the environment minister, it was confirmed that since January 1, 2019, a total of €13,389,593 in grant supports has been provided for the supply and installation of solar PV panels and all ancillary equipment.

"This has allowed a total of 19.8MW capacity to be installed across 5,506 installations, and has brought a carbon saving of 5,206t of CO2 in the same period," according to Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication, Eamon Ryan.

Deputy Nolan also sought clarity on the country of origin of the solar panels that are provided under the scheme.

Minister McConologue replied:

She received the following response from Minister Eamon Ryan:

Further information on the terms and conditions on all the TAMS II schemes is available here.

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