Some 3,167 farmers have been approved for Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) funding to put solar panels on farm building roofs under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS), according to Minister for Agriculture Martin Hedyon.

To date, the Department has issued payments worth €22.9m to 1,232 farmers, with approvals continuing to issue on a daily basis.

Since the opening of the scheme, 5,529 applications have been received under the first 10 tranches of TAMS.

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The objective of the scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV-generated electricity onsite to meet their farm electricity demand, including in respect of the dwelling house.

In order to encourage the purchase of solar investments, the scheme is ring-fenced with its own investment ceiling of €90,000 and grant-aided at the enhanced rate of 60%.

The Minister said that, on average, all eligible TAMS II investments, including solar PV applications, where there are no issues with the application are processed within three months following the ranking and selection process.

Criteria

Farmers can install a maximum of 300m² of solar panels on existing shed roofs, with the maximum amount of panels fitted via a ground-mounted system limited to 75m² where no planning permission is being sought.

This week, Martin Merrick discusses more of the criteria under the TAMS solar scheme regarding farm roofs, with load capacity, ventilation and clear roof lights all being factors to consider.