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< Back Solar power planning guidelines aim to speed up Irish renewables Photo credit: Statkraft Ireland Irish Solar Energy Association ​ ​ New planning guidelines for the delivery of solar farms in Ireland have been published today by the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA). The best practice guidance, which has been drafted following extensive consultation with industry and planning officials, aims to bring greater clarity and certainty to planning around this form of essential energy infrastructure. Ireland has ambitious targets to reach 8GW of solar power by the end of the decade. Despite the first Irish solar farms only connecting to the national grid in May 2022 there is now a total of 17 connected today, highlighting the need to deliver a significant increase in the coming years. ISEA state that ensuring an efficient planning process will be essential to delivering upon this target. Published by ISEA Best Practice Guidance Report for Large Scale Solar Energy Development was researched by environmental consultants Fehily Timoney and Company (FT) and supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Guidelines encompass a range of areas such as community engagement, archaeological assessments and glint and glare. It is designed to guide both applicants and planners with a unified approach. Speaking on the publication of the guidance ISEA CEO Conall Bolger said “Solar farms typically have a have a high approval rate in the planning process. However, a lack of resources among local authorities and inconsistencies between planning bodies can lead to delays in processing applications." "In producing these guidelines, we aim to address the challenges that both applicants and planners face to deliver higher quality applications that can processed in a more efficient manner in future.” SEAI CEO William Walsh said “Solar energy will play a major part in Ireland reaching its decarbonisation targets. Stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure that there are clear approaches in place around planning and consenting for renewable energy projects. These guidelines are an example of where industry and the state can work together to identify possible barriers and create solutions to accelerate the development and deployment of solar energy." Jim Hughes, from the report author’s Fehily Timoney and Company said “These guidelines have been underpinned by extensive consultation across the industry. The Guidelines intend to provide a better understanding of large scale Solar PV and address perceived planning issues. These guidelines provide a framework for future planning applications helping to achieve continuity in application documents and decisions. The guidance document was published at the Solar Ireland 2023 conference in Cork this morning attended by over 450 industry figures. Read the report here . Previous Next

Our Team At ISEA, we know that renewable energy will be a key part of combatting the climate crisis, which is why we're set on solar. Chief Executive Officer Conall Bolger Conall has been the CEO of ISEA since 2021. He has significant markets, commercial, and policy experience, having worked across the energy value chain. Communications Manager Priscila Mc Geehan Priscila is a skilled marketing and communications professional with 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, public relations, and digital marketing. Head of Policy Dr. Eva Barrett Eva is the Head of Policy at ISEA. Eva has over 14 years’ experience working as a commercial lawyer and lecturer on energy, environment, and planning matters at national and international levels. Membership Officer Marta Ferreira dos Santos Marta is working on growing ISEA for the good of its members and the environment. She handles ISEA's membership development. Our Board of Directors Declan Cullinane Chair of the Board BayWa r.e. Gavin Blake Company Secretary Addleshaw Goddard Tara Reale Company Treasurer Goodbody Daniel Barnes SSE Richard Green Energia Group Eoin Naughton ESB Solar Ronan Murphy Amarenco Peter Russell Huawei Ireland Ronan Power Pinergy SolarElectric Seán Manley Altnua (Alternus Energy)

< Back Statement in response to land 'loss' claims ​ Irish Solar Energy Association 10 Mar 2023 ​ Leasing land for solar farms offers farmers an opportunity to diversify their revenue sources and earn a good income from hosting one of the solutions for the climate crisis on their land. That ownership of land is a key point; it is their land. In our society a person is free to make use of their land in a way that they deem fit. The planning process exists to determine whether a development is a suitable use for that land, offering citizens the opportunity to participate. That process has repeatedly determined that solar is an appropriate use of that land with a 93% success rate in planning. As per a recent article published in the Irish Farmers Journal, it is simply not accurate to claim that 3,000 acres in North County Dublin has been “lost” to solar farms. We estimate that the projects connected in 2022 would constitute an area under lease of approximately 920-1,000 acres. Panels do not cover the whole land holding, so in reality the area under panels is likely closer to 410-550 acres, one sixth of the figure quoted. The land between panels can be used for agriculturally relevant purposes such as grazing small animals or growing food. We think there is exciting potential in dual use of land for food and solar energy production, also known as agrivoltaics. It is national policy to combat climate change. The Government has set a target for 8GW of solar PV by 2030 which requires a concerted effort across industry, agriculture and society to deliver. We estimate that the ground mounted solar portion of that target would require 24,000-26,000 acres under lease, equivalent to 0.2% of total agricultural land or less than half the land currently used for golf courses. Solar will constitute a big part of the solution and require a relatively small portion of relevant land area. In that context, these concerns are not reflective of the real impact of utility scale solar. They also do not take account of the positive economic and environmental benefits accruing from solar. Previous Next

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< Back Budget brings short-term relief 'but not the energy revolution we need,' says environmental NGO ​ Kevin O'Sullivan 28 Sept 2022 Budget fails to address root causes of high energy costs, says Irish Solar Energy Association The Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) said the budget failed to address the root causes of high energy costs. “The generation of solar energy is going to be central to decarbonising our electricity supply and removing our dependence on sourcing fossil fuels from overseas,” ISEA chief executive Conall Bolger said. Previous Next

< Back Agriculture and Solar Photo credit: Neoen Renewables Irish Solar Energy Association 13 Mar 2023 ISEA welcomes publication of Oireachtas report The Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) has welcomed the publication by the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the relationship between Solar Energy and Agriculture. ISEA say the report contains a series of common-sense proposals that can make it easier for farmers to diversify into renewable energy. Commenting following the publication of ‘Solar Energy and the Agriculture Industry’, ISEA CEO Conall Bolger said “The farming community is too often cast as a villain in the climate crisis conversation. Solar provides real opportunities for our farmers to play a positive part in Ireland’s climate action, generating new incomes while doing so. This report outlines several ways in which national policy could be changed to make this easier.” “With Ireland now committed to generating significant levels of solar electricity there will be many opportunities for farmers to lease land to solar developers,” Bolger explained. “This will provide an additional revenue stream and crucially the land remains suitable for grazing. In total, we estimate solar could utilise approximately 25,000 acres over the next few years. While this is a sizable area it is less than 0.2% of Ireland’s agricultural land, and less than half of the land currently occupied by golf courses.” Bolger welcomed the Committee’s recommendation regarding restrictions created by Capital Acquisitions Tax. “Currently any farming family that leases more than half its land for solar loses the CAT relief that allows for the inheritance of a family farm without significant tax bills. This is too big a risk for many farmers to consider and reduces the availability of land for solar. The Committee has quite rightly recommended a review of this as an unnecessary barrier and we hope this will result in the Department of Finance eliminating this punitive measure without delay.” “Embracing rooftop solar technology on farmhouses and other buildings is another great way for farmers to engage in the clean energy revolution,” according to Bolger. “This can reduce their energy costs and emissions, particularly where they use electric vehicles. It also presents an opportunity to sell back to the national grid, boosting the entire country’s solar generation. “The proposal to develop a scheme to assist farmers with the upfront costs of investing in solar would be welcome and help more farmers to engage more quickly. Similarly, the concept of targeting rooftop solar panels on every Irish farm building by 2030 is the kind of big thinking that is required to solve our climate crisis.” Concluding Conall Bolger CEO of ISEA commended the members of the Committee for their diligence in engaging in the topic and called on Government to implement these proposals in full. “What climate action needs is solutions and innovation. This report by the Committee provides a blueprint to engage more farmers in generating clean green solar energy across the country. This can only have a positive impact on our environment and on our agriculture industry.” Previous Next

< Back Irish consumers paying more for renewable electricity than necessary, lobby group claims ​ Eoin Burke-Kennedy 7 Nov 2022 Irish Solar Energy Association says auction prices for renewable projects are rising without needing to Consumers here are paying over the odds for renewable electricity, the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) has claimed. In a report, the group highlights that while the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions are saving money, consumers are still paying more than they need to be. Previous Next

News 8 Mar 2024 Irish Solar Energy Association appoints Declan Cullinane as new Chair ​ Read More 21 Feb 2024 The great solar farm debate ​ Read More ​ Solar power planning guidelines aim to speed up Irish renewables ​ Read More 10 Oct 2023 Irish Solar Energy Association reacts to Budget 2023 Climate measures do not go far enough Read More 2 Oct 2023 Renewables industry and environmental NGOs join forces to call for urgent Government investment in environmental capacity A pre-budget statement from environmental NGOs and renewable energy associations Read More 26 Sept 2023 Renewable auction: Success limited by policy failures Irish Solar Energy Association calls for lessons to be learned Read More 25 Sept 2023 Budget 2024 should empower farmers to take climate action Solar industry calls for extension to agricultural reliefs for land with solar panels Read More 7 Aug 2023 Planning squeeze hinders solar power projects Some projects have been waiting more than a year for approval, undermining their advantage of speedy development, industry group says Read More 4 Jul 2023 Solar grants for businesses welcomed by industry ​ Read More 4 Jul 2023 ISEA respond to EirGrid strategy Action required to deliver on renewed blueprint Read More 21 Jun 2023 Ireland's Solar Revolution Scaling new heights in clean energy and redefining our dependency on fossil fuels Read More 5 Apr 2023 Elimination of VAT on domestic solar installations from 1 May welcomed ​ Read More 2 Apr 2023 Solar Industry welcomes elimination of VAT on domestic solar installations ​ Read More 10 Mar 2023 Statement in response to land 'loss' claims ​ Read More 13 Mar 2023 Agriculture and Solar ISEA welcomes publication of Oireachtas report Read More 1 Mar 2023 The role of solar in farmers 'future-proofing' their enterprises Future Farm: Every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding Read More 27 Feb 2023 Solar companies seek priority for permits and longer leases for operation ​ Read More 19 Jan 2023 State neglecting ‘private wires’ to ease energy demand from data centres, solar body claims Data centres could be empowered to source their energy demands more easily, says Irish Solar Energy Association Read More 21 Dec 2022 ISEA welcomes commitments laid out in 2023 Climate Action Plan Ireland embraces solar on shortest day of the year Read More 27 Nov 2022 ISEA welcomes Minister Eamon Ryan's accelerated solar targets Minister committed to 5GW solar by 2025 Read More 22 Nov 2022 Solar Industry responds to Windfall Tax proposal Government must take a 360 approach to address consumer prices Read More 7 Nov 2022 Irish consumers paying more for renewable electricity than necessary, lobby group claims Irish Solar Energy Association says auction prices for renewable projects are rising without needing to Read More 26 Oct 2022 Buzz in the solar farm sector as industry targets 25,000ac There's was a notable buzz at this year's Solar Ireland 22 conference, writes Stephen Robb Read More 28 Sept 2022 Budget brings short-term relief 'but not the energy revolution we need,' says environmental NGO Budget fails to address root causes of high energy costs, says Irish Solar Energy Association Read More 22 Aug 2022 Government should use EU directive to reduce solar equipment VAT, says sector body Irish Solar Energy Association says State needs to take ‘sensible steps’ to boost sector Read More

News 8 Mar 2024 Irish Solar Energy Association appoints Declan Cullinane as new Chair ​ Read More 21 Feb 2024 The great solar farm debate ​ Read More ​ Solar power planning guidelines aim to speed up Irish renewables ​ Read More 10 Oct 2023 Irish Solar Energy Association reacts to Budget 2023 Climate measures do not go far enough Read More 2 Oct 2023 Renewables industry and environmental NGOs join forces to call for urgent Government investment in environmental capacity A pre-budget statement from environmental NGOs and renewable energy associations Read More 26 Sept 2023 Renewable auction: Success limited by policy failures Irish Solar Energy Association calls for lessons to be learned Read More 25 Sept 2023 Budget 2024 should empower farmers to take climate action Solar industry calls for extension to agricultural reliefs for land with solar panels Read More 7 Aug 2023 Planning squeeze hinders solar power projects Some projects have been waiting more than a year for approval, undermining their advantage of speedy development, industry group says Read More 4 Jul 2023 Solar grants for businesses welcomed by industry ​ Read More 4 Jul 2023 ISEA respond to EirGrid strategy Action required to deliver on renewed blueprint Read More 21 Jun 2023 Ireland's Solar Revolution Scaling new heights in clean energy and redefining our dependency on fossil fuels Read More 5 Apr 2023 Elimination of VAT on domestic solar installations from 1 May welcomed ​ Read More 2 Apr 2023 Solar Industry welcomes elimination of VAT on domestic solar installations ​ Read More 10 Mar 2023 Statement in response to land 'loss' claims ​ Read More 13 Mar 2023 Agriculture and Solar ISEA welcomes publication of Oireachtas report Read More 1 Mar 2023 The role of solar in farmers 'future-proofing' their enterprises Future Farm: Every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding Read More 27 Feb 2023 Solar companies seek priority for permits and longer leases for operation ​ Read More 19 Jan 2023 State neglecting ‘private wires’ to ease energy demand from data centres, solar body claims Data centres could be empowered to source their energy demands more easily, says Irish Solar Energy Association Read More 21 Dec 2022 ISEA welcomes commitments laid out in 2023 Climate Action Plan Ireland embraces solar on shortest day of the year Read More 27 Nov 2022 ISEA welcomes Minister Eamon Ryan's accelerated solar targets Minister committed to 5GW solar by 2025 Read More 22 Nov 2022 Solar Industry responds to Windfall Tax proposal Government must take a 360 approach to address consumer prices Read More 7 Nov 2022 Irish consumers paying more for renewable electricity than necessary, lobby group claims Irish Solar Energy Association says auction prices for renewable projects are rising without needing to Read More 26 Oct 2022 Buzz in the solar farm sector as industry targets 25,000ac There's was a notable buzz at this year's Solar Ireland 22 conference, writes Stephen Robb Read More 28 Sept 2022 Budget brings short-term relief 'but not the energy revolution we need,' says environmental NGO Budget fails to address root causes of high energy costs, says Irish Solar Energy Association Read More 22 Aug 2022 Government should use EU directive to reduce solar equipment VAT, says sector body Irish Solar Energy Association says State needs to take ‘sensible steps’ to boost sector Read More

< Back Irish Solar Energy Association reacts to Budget 2023 ​ Irish Solar Energy Association 10 Oct 2023 Climate measures do not go far enough The Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) has said that while Budget 2024 contains some welcome measures the commitments to address climate change lack urgency and fail to deliver meaningful action. Responding to Budget 2024 ISEA CEO Conall Bolger said “The commitment to invest in climate change through a creation of the new €14bn Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund is to be welcomed. But the crisis we face is now, not in seven year’s time, and there is a lack of clarity on how these investments will address today’s challenges. Bolger did welcome Ireland’s continuing to support the microgeneration of solar energy through rooftop solar panels. “This government has done a lot to support homes to invest in rooftop solar panels. We welcome that this is continuing through the introduction of a new low interest loan scheme and by doubling the tax disregard when a household sells excess solar electricity back on to the grid will increase the tangible benefits of homes investing in solar. In addition, the extension of the zero percent VAT rate for solar equipment purchased by schools is a sensible measure that will assist schools in communities across the country to avail of the solar opportunity. “There is a growing demand from homes and businesses for solar panels. Meeting this demand will require an increase in the number of trained trades people to carry out these installations, the new Craft Apprenticeship system, with funding of €67m, will support the faster rollout of rooftop solar panels. Bolger was severely critical of the failure to remove tax barriers that prevent farmers leasing land for solar developments. “Central to Ireland’s decarbonisation plan is the government’s own stated ambition to develop 8GW of solar energy by 2030. This will require approximately 25,000 acres of solar farms within this decade and making this a reality will require the cooperation of farmers across the country. “All farming families are conscious of tax exemptions to allow land to be passed on to the next generation without punitive tax bills. Inexplicably, this does not apply in instances where more than 50% of land is utilised by solar panels. We had expected the government to remove this arbitrary rule that punishes farmers who engage in renewables and is significantly reducing the availability of land for solar.” Bolger also criticised the government’s continued reliance on electricity credits as short sighted. “ Consumers have been paying too much for electricity for too long and while electricity credits provide an immediate support, they do nothing to fix the problem. A significant percentage of the electricity costs paid in Ireland are within the State’s control and they are not being addressed. These costs need to be scrutinised and our budget should be doing more to encourage the deployment of renewables faster than is currently the case.” Previous Next