TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme Farm Grant Guide: 60% Grant Rate, €90,000 Ceiling

Key Takeaways

• The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme offers an enhanced grant rate of 60%.
• The scheme has a ring-fenced investment ceiling of €90,000.
• Maximum eligible solar PV capacity is 62 kWp.
• Battery storage is funded up to 50% of the eligible solar PV system size.

What is the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS)?

The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) is a grant program from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) designed to support farmers in adopting solar energy. This scheme provides an enhanced grant rate of 60% (August 2026) for eligible investments. It operates with its own ring-fenced investment ceiling of €90,000 (August 2026), separate from other TAMS 3 categories. The primary goal is to encourage the generation and consumption of electricity on the applicant's holding for farming purposes.

What are the key provisions and limitations of the TAMS 3 Solar grant?

The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme includes specific rules regarding grant rates, investment ceilings, and eligible system sizes. Understanding these provisions is crucial for applicants.

The scheme provides grant aid at an enhanced rate of 60% (August 2026). This applies to eligible investments up to a ring-fenced investment ceiling of €90,000 (August 2026). This ceiling is specific to the solar scheme and does not impact other TAMS 3 investment categories you might apply for.

For solar PV capacity, the scheme sets a maximum eligible size of 62 kWp (August 2026). Any PV capacity installed beyond this limit will not be considered for grant funding. Battery storage is also supported, but with a specific sizing rule: batteries (kWh) will be funded at a maximum of 50% of the eligible solar PV system size (August 2026). For example, if your solar panel system has a maximum eligible size of 20 kWp, the maximum eligible battery size for grant aid is 10 kWh.

A critical restriction is that the installation of the solar panel array on the dwelling house is not permitted (August 2026). Eligible locations include ground-mounted arrays within a Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) parcel on the holding, or within the farmyard(s) (August 2026).

What are the eligibility and documentation requirements for TAMS 3 Solar?

To qualify for the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme, applicants must meet specific criteria and provide certain documentation. These requirements ensure that the grant supports legitimate farming operations and adheres to the scheme's objectives.

A key requirement is the submission of an On-Farm Solar PV Survey (Supplementary Application Information), which must be completed as part of the application process (August 2026). You will also need to provide an ESB Networks account statement for your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for the calendar year prior to the year of application (August 2026). This helps verify the farm's electricity consumption patterns.

The scheme also stipulates that Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels can only be installed and commissioned by Department accepted installers (August 2026). This ensures quality and compliance with safety standards.

For farm partnerships, the electricity bill(s) in the name of a person is permissible where that person has at least a 20% share in the farm partnership (August 2026). This addresses situations where the electricity account may not be solely in the farm's name.

All electricity generated from the panels must be consumed on the applicant's holding for farming purposes (August 2026). Systems sized in excess of eligible farm electricity consumption on the MPRN will not receive full grant funding (August 2026). This emphasizes the scheme's focus on self-consumption and reducing farm energy costs.

Applications can be made through your agfood account (August 2026).

How do we verify TAMS 3 Solar grant information?

We verify all information regarding the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme directly from official Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) documentation. Our primary source for this article is the "TAMS 3 Solar Terms and Conditions" document, dated June 2026, which is published on the official Irish government assets website. We accessed this document on 23 August 2026 to ensure the accuracy and currency of all stated provisions, grant rates, ceilings, and eligibility criteria. We do not use unofficial sources or extrapolate figures.

Where can you find more information on solar grants and grid connections?

Understanding the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme is one part of planning a solar installation for your farm. You may also need information on other grant opportunities and grid connection rules.

For broader context on non-domestic microgeneration grants, you can consult our guide on the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) Scheme. If you are considering connecting your solar system to the grid, understanding the technical limits is important. Our guide on ESB Networks NC7 Minigeneration Connection and Capacity Limits provides relevant details. Additionally, for information on exporting excess electricity, you can refer to our guide on the CRU Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) Decision Paper Framework.

When planning your system, it is also beneficial to estimate your energy needs. You can use a solar sizing tool to help determine the appropriate PV capacity for your farm's consumption.