Ireland Agri PV And Commercial Greenhouse Solar Guide

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Key Takeaways

• Solar PV on agricultural structures and commercial greenhouses qualifies as exempted development under Class 18(c) of S.I. No. 493/2022.
• Free-standing ground-mounted arrays within the farm curtilage are limited to 75 square metres in total aperture area and a maximum height of 2.5 metres.
• Generated electricity must be used primarily for on-site agricultural demand, legally defined as greater than 50% consumed on the holding.
• For dual-use land, Teagasc confirms that in the case of areas with solar panels grazing with sheep is a suitable agricultural activity.
• Agricultural tax relief requires that less than 50% of the total farm area is covered by solar panels, with the BISS parcel area reduced accordingly.

Statutory Planning Framework: Class 18(c) Regulations

The development of on-farm solar arrays, horticultural glasshouses, and commercial greenhouses in Ireland is governed by Class 18(c) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Planning and Development Regulations, as amended by S.I. No. 493/2022.

The statutory exemption covers:

• The placing or erection on a roof or wall of an agricultural structure, or within the curtilage of an agricultural holding, or on a roof or wall of any ancillary buildings within the curtilage of an agricultural holding of a solar photo-voltaic and/or solar thermal collector installation.

To preserve exempt status, the electricity or heat generated must be primarily for the purpose of the holding, where statute defines primarily as meaning greater than 50% used on site.

Free-Standing Ground Arrays and Farm Siting Rules

Where roof space on existing barns or greenhouses is constrained, agricultural holdings may deploy ground-mounted solar panels under strict statutory conditions:

1. Aperture Area Ceiling: The total aperture area of any free-standing solar photo-voltaic and solar thermal collector panels taken together with any other such existing free-standing panels shall not exceed 75 square metres.
2. Height Restriction: The height of any free-standing solar photo-voltaic or solar thermal collector installation shall not exceed 2.5 metres at its highest point above ground level.
3. Public Road Setback: Any free-standing solar photo-voltaic or solar thermal collector installation shall not be placed or erected forward of the front wall of the nearest agricultural structure, within the curtilage of the agricultural holding, to a public road.

Agri-PV Land Use, Grazing, and Tax Treatment

Integrating solar generation with commercial agriculture involves strict land eligibility and fiscal rules detailed in Teagasc guidance:

• Dual-Use Grazing: For ground arrays and utility-scale solar parcels, in the case of areas with solar panels grazing with sheep is a suitable agricultural activity to maintain active farming status.
• BISS Parcel Reductions: Land area occupied by panel infrastructure must be accounted for on annual declarations: therefore the eligible area of the parcel will have to be reduced to take account of the area that is covered by solar panels.
• Agricultural Relief: Land used by solar panels does not qualify for agricultural relief unless less than 50% of the total farm area is covered by panels.
• Structural Roof Integrity: While most agricultural roofs are suitable for solar systems; however panels cannot be installed on roofs containing asbestos.

Electrical Interconnection and Teagasc Farm Guidance

When evaluating where can I install solar PV panels and how much space will they take up, or assessing is it viable to let land for solar projects, farmers connect through established ESB Networks frameworks:

• Micro-Generation: Allows connection of 6 kVA inverters on single-phase systems or 11 kVA inverters on three-phase systems.
• Mini-Generation: Allows connection of 17 kVA inverters on single-phase systems or 50 kVA inverters on three-phase systems.