The deadline is almost upon farmers for applications to be submitted to tranche 13 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II).

The closing date for the current tranche is tomorrow (Friday, April 5).

As part of the TAMS II update issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in March, Tranche 14 of the scheme will open on Saturday, April 6, and remain open for applications until Friday, July 5.

Meanwhile, from Saturday onwards, farmers will have the option to apply for new investments in renewable energy.

€10 million worth of grants was made available last month by the Department of Agriculture for energy efficiencies and renewable energy technologies, following a comprehensive review of the TAMS scheme designed to increase its focus on sustainability.

According to the Department of Agriculture, a solar PV system size for a dairy farm of approximately 5.5kWp combined with a 4.5kWh of battery storage capacity. Grant aid in this initial pilot phase will be to fund a 6kWp solar system.

Costs are based on the cost of installation of a 6kWp solar system; this includes a battery which is necessary to capture the energy output thereby making it economically viable.

At this maximum size the grant provided at the 40% rate would be €6,200 and at 60% it would be €9,300.