The sharp rise in solar applications to supply the national grid in the second half of 2015 continued into 2016. However, despite the high level of interest, just 35 offers have been issued to date. None of those have begun construction, according to the ESB.

ESB networks received 151 applications by the end of June this year and a total of 329 applications for the entirety of last year. This equates to 3,000MW of solar applications.

“To date, 35 offers have been issued with more due to issue over the coming months,” a spokesperson for ESB said.

In recent months the level of applications, while well in excess of the volumes received in the six years from 2009 to 2014, are below those levels seen in the end of 2015.

Each application is processed individually and sequentially on a nodal basis, which is in line with the Commission for Energy Regulation policy.

IFA has organised a solar energy seminar taking place in the Killeshin hotel, Portlaoise, on 14 July at 2pm. There will be an update from the seminar on www.farmersjournal.ie.