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Solar is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies in the world. Solar energy is cost-competitive, it generates power when needed and has increasingly predictable output due to improved solar forecasting. In order for Ireland to continue to make strides in hitting our renewable energy targets, it is essential that we have a diverse renewable portfolio to include onshore and offshore wind, solar power and battery storage working in harmony. Having locally produced energy in Ireland is essential to ensure security of energy supply and solar will play a major role in that. We also believe that utility-scale solar and battery storage will deliver electricity with increased value to the grid. 

In Ireland, 64% of the total area of Ireland is agricultural land. According to Teagasc, there is about 4.9mn hectares or 12.1 million acres of utilised farming land in Ireland. While solar is a relatively new entrant to the market, the rule of thumb for solar farm development is 3.75 to 5 acres per MW; in reality, it can be closer to 3MW/acre. That means less than 1% of the agricultural land in Ireland is needed to get to 8GW of utility scale solar power in Ireland, and even at that farming practices can still take place on these lands.  

So, the land can still be used for agriculture?
Yes. The land beneath the solar arrays will remain available for use for livestock which can pass under the panels. The land can also still be farmed for other uses, such as crops and beekeeping. If not used for these purposes, it is still possible to use the grass for silage production and the lands will be managed to return to regular agricultural practices if and when the solar farm is decommissioned.

The electricity generated from the proposed solar farm development will be fed into the national grid via the onsite substation and grid connection route.

Low level lighting is proposed as part of the substation compound, which is required by ESB Networks/EirGrid. This will only illuminate selected areas of the substation compound and be directed downward. In general, no lighting is required within the site beyond the substation compound. CCTV cameras proposed throughout the site operate using passive infra-red. These cameras will be directed internally within the site and will not monitor lands outside of the boundary.

During the operation of the solar farm, the only potential noise sources anticipated on site are from inverter/transformer stations and the substation compound. These elements of the project will be set back adequately from nearby houses. The noise emissions from these sources will be analysed by an expert noise emission specialist to ensure that they are below regulatory limits. As a result of this assessment, we generally expect to reduce noise emissions at local receptors below these regulatory levels.

No. The solar panels used on solar farms are the same, or similar to, those placed on the roofs of houses. Solar panels are primarily constructed from silicon, and the electronic components are fully encased. 

When the time to decommission arrives, Ørsted will ensure used solar panels, and all other electrical components will be recycled where possible, with a decommissioning plan agreed with the planning authority at that time. It is considered that with properly managed facilities there is no risk to health and safety from the materials to be used on the proposed solar farm.

No. Research funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) looked at studies of property prices in several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom which have significantly higher levels of ground mounted solar PV than we currently have in Ireland. There was no evidence that a property’s proximity to ground-mounted solar farms has a negative impact on property prices. 

As part of the planning process, a landscape and visual consultant will be appointed to conduct a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) of the solar farm. As part of this the consultants will develop photomontages that will show viewpoints of the site both before and after the construction of the proposed development and will include the screening and planting proposed. This will ensure that sufficient screening is developed to protect visual amenity in the area and will allow the public to get an idea of what the project will look like within the locality.

Orsted Ireland’s standard design includes a new fence, hedge, and the planting of native species along the boundary of the solar farm. The fence is typically located three metres inside the new hedge line. These hedges are typically between three to six meters in height and the fence is two metres in height. 

Hedges will be maintained similarly to how a road or other boundary would be maintained, through targeted trimming at suitable times of the year. All cutting is completed in line with best practice and will maintain adequate screening throughout the lifetime of the project. 

No. The main effects from traffic are associated with the construction of the solar farm. A comprehensive traffic management plan will be put in place during the construction phase which will define details such as routes and delivery times for heavy goods vehicles and routes to be used by construction workers. The purpose of the traffic management plan is to maintain safety on local roads and avoid negative effects on local traffic and residences. The construction phase of solar farms is not intensive and is spread over the site through different phases. The construction of a solar farm typically takes 12 months. 

The operation of the solar farm will be monitored remotely with regular maintenance required at the site which will be completed by light goods vehicles (LGVs).