According to planning documents, the development by Dublin-based Power Capital Renewable Energy Ltd will consist of 20,000 photovoltaic panels capable of producing 5MW of electric power.

A number of transformer stations and other service buildings as well as access roads will also be built within the next 10 years.

Access to the national grid a key concern in solar developments and the site is next to an existing ESB substation. The council noted that an underground cable is expected to connect the two properties.

No objections

The plan includes planting trees to remove the risk of glint and glare from the solar panels from the neighbouring road. Existing hedges mean that “no dwellings are expected to have views of the reflecting solar panels”.

The only submission received was from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs requesting archaeological surveys and no objections were lodged.

The council granted permission subject to the condition that the solar panels are decomissioned at the end of their 30-year lifespan and land is returned to its former agricultural use within six months. The developer must pay a €20,000 security to the council, to be refunded after land is restored to its former use. They must also contribute €50,000 towards public infrastructure costs.

30-year lease

The planning application states that Power Capital Renewable Energy secured access to the land through a 30-year lease with local landowner Stephen Power.

This is the latest in a number of solar developments in the 5MW range going through the planning process in recent months. Waterford county council refers to similar projects obtaining permission in Tramore and in neighbouring Co Wexford. Another 5MW solar farm is awaiting planning permission in Co Westmeath.

Many more landowners have signed contracts with developers for potential solar farms, but Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten and industry sources recently told the Irish Farmers Journal that the national grid would not have the capacity to accommodate them all.

Read more about renewable energy in our special focus this Thursday in the Irish Farmers Journal.

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