New Guide Empowers Dairy Farmers with Solar PV Solutions to Cut Costs and Emissions
Key Insights
Teagasc and Munster Technological University have released a new guide to help dairy farmers adopt solar PV, aiming to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Dairy farms are uniquely suited for solar PV due to their consistent, high electricity demand for operations like milking and cooling, maximizing self-consumption benefits.
The guide provides comprehensive details on PV system functionality, installation, planning, and financial incentives, including the 60% TAMS grant and the new SRESS.
An online tool, FaRMOT, is highlighted to assist farmers in optimizing energy savings, positioning solar PV as a strategic investment for farm resilience and sustainability.
A collaborative guide from Teagasc and Munster Technological University (MTU), launched on July 6, 2025, at the Moorepark Open Day, now offers Irish dairy farmers comprehensive insights into leveraging solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to significantly reduce operational energy costs and lower carbon emissions. This initiative targets a crucial sector known for its consistent, high electricity demand, making it an ideal candidate for on-site renewable energy generation.
Dairy farms, with their continuous need for power in milking parlours, milk cooling systems, and water heating, are particularly well-suited for solar PV installations. The inherent demand profile allows for high self-consumption rates of generated solar power, maximizing the financial benefits of reduced grid reliance.
The "Solar Energy Guide for Dairy Farms," unveiled by Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provides a practical and current overview of PV technology. It details how PV systems function, crucial installation considerations, necessary planning requirements, and the array of financial supports available to farmers. The publication is designed to equip farmers with clear, evidence-based information to confidently assess, install, and optimize these systems.
Key aspects covered include system design, planning permission navigation, the role of battery storage, and detailed information on grant schemes. Notably, the guide provides up-to-date specifics on the 60% TAMS grant, current export tariffs for surplus energy, and the newly introduced Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). Furthermore, it highlights FaRMOT, a free online tool developed jointly by MTU and Teagasc, designed to assist farmers in optimizing their energy savings and system performance.
Dr. John Upton of Teagasc, the lead author, emphasized the strategic importance of the guide at the Moorepark’25 Open Day. "This guide will help farmers make confident, informed decisions. Solar PV is no longer just a green option; it is a smart investment that supports farm resilience," Dr. Upton stated. Beyond the immediate financial savings, the adoption of solar PV systems contributes substantially to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, a typical 26 kWp solar PV system on a dairy farm is projected to offset approximately 7.5 tonnes of CO2 annually, underscoring the vital role of renewable energy in achieving national climate targets.