The economics of installing a solar PV system to generate electricity for your farm have never been better.

High electricity prices coupled with incoming 60% grant aid under TAMS 3 means that farmers are seeing payback periods of under three years.

However, for many farmers, solar PV is a new technology and this is the first time they will be hearing technical phrases such as maximum import capacity, kilowatts, invertors, etc.

As such, it can be hard to know where to start. Furthermore, much is still to be learned about the different types of solar panels, understanding performance and interpreting the data.

After completing a feasibility study into the key barriers to entry for farmers who wish to install solar PV systems, the IFA has now launched a new service to help address this.

Service

In partnership with Bord Gáis Energy, the IFA will work with farmers to help them understand how solar PV can work on their farms.

They will work with individual farmers to conduct a detailed assessment of the viability, design and installation of a rooftop solar PV system on their farm.

They will also provide guidance on available supports, expected PV system performance, payback periods and provide ongoing support in the form of data analysis.

The service is free to farmers and you don’t have to be an IFA member to avail of it.

No obligation quotation

From there they will provide a bespoke solar PV system design and quote, including a calculation of an estimated payback period.

While the farmer is under no obligation to install the panels through Bord Gáis and the IFA, if they do, they will receive help with the operation, maintenance and interpretation of the data from the system.

A key selling point according to the IFA is that farmers will receive tailored advice on how to minimise their energy use and maximise their returns from their panels.

This will be done through ongoing monitoring and analysis of the data coming from the solar panels.

Anyone interested in learning more about the new service can find out more on the IFA’s website.