Solar Panels for Farmers – All You Need To Know: TAMS Grant

  

TAMS 3 Grant now open from 22 February for solar panels for farmers in Ireland

Objective

The new Tams 3 has a 60% grant for solar panels for farmers on their farm. The objective of the scheme is to encourage self-consumption of renewable energy on a farm and lowering the carbon footprint of farms in Ireland. While significantly reducing the energy costs on the farm.

SolarCo are Ireland’s Leading Commercial Solar PV Installer and have installed systems on many farms throughout Ireland!

How much of a Grant will I be able to get?

Grant aid will only be paid on approved, completed, and eligible expenditure and will be paid at the rate of 60% up to the maximum investment ceiling of €90,000 per farm.

The minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under this Scheme is €2,000 per farm.

Solar Companies will have to conduct a Solar PV Site Survey to examine your electricity needs and design a system to fit these needs, so you can’t over size a system for your farm! And you will be able to sell excess electricity back to the grid. The Solar Survey ensures your system is sized correctly for your farm.

SolarCo do free site surveys and examine farmers individual electricity needs and advise on the best system for them, aswel as helping with the full grant application process. SolarCo are experts in installing Solar Panels for farmers.

Just Get in Touch Today with SolarCo here.

Call us on 062-74007

Or email us on [email protected]

Who can Avail of this 60% grant?

The Scheme is open to farmers who have a minimum of 5 hectares of owned, leased or rented lands which has been declared under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS). In the case of intensive enterprises, generate a minimum of 20 production units from farming or have a Department identifier.

All Farmers will be able to claim 60% of the spend back with the TAMS Grant. In the case of an application by two or more eligible partners in a partnership registered on this Department’s Register of Farm Partnership the maximum eligible investment ceiling shall remain at €90,000.

The maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid is 62kW.

SolarCo can guide you step by step through the process.

SolarCo previous farm roof installation.

Where can I Install the Solar PV Panels?

The panels can be mounted on any shed roof, SolarCo recommends south facing or east/west or combination of both.

The installation of the solar panel array on the dwelling house is not permitted.

Ground mounted panels are also an option. The nearest point of a ground mounted panel array has to be located within 500m of the farmyard. The inverter and ancillary equipment has to be located in the farmyard or next to the panel array.

SolarCo recommend panel location when we do our free site survey!

Do I need Planning Permission?

You can install Solar PV panels on rooftops of farm sheds up to 300kW without the need for planning permission, in the event you are near an airport or hospital planning permission may be needed.

For ground mounted systems you can erect 17kW without the need for planning permission!

Can I export back to the grid?

100% of the electricity generated from the Solar PV System must be used on the applicant’s farm which includes the dwelling house.

It is not permitted to use the electricity generated for commercial or non-farming consumption or to export the electricity generated.

An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holding’s electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development. A maximum of one dwelling may be included in the demand calculation.

SolarCo take the stress out of applying for the Solar Tams grant for you, get in touch with our experts today to see what works best for you.

Can I Install a Battery under the Tams Grant?

Yes, batteries can be included in the system and are covered under the grant.

Do I need a Department of Agriculture Approved Installer?

Yes, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels can only be installed and commissioned by Department accepted installers. The maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid is 62kW.

SolarCo are department of Agriculture approved installers and operate nationwide.

How do I Apply?

Applications must be submitted online through agfood.ie. Stay tuned for our next blog on a step by step guide on how to apply for the Solar PV Grant, or give us a call on 062-74007 to get assistance.

What do I need to submit along with my Application?

Applications are made through agfood.ie and this can be tedious for farmers, get in touch with SolarCo today to get a free site survey and we will help you with your full application to the Department of Agriculture!

The following is required by the Dep of Agriculture along with your submission to apply for the 60% Tams Grant:

On Farm Solar PV Survey;

• Drawings and farm structure layout plan.
• Farmyard layout plan.
• Site location map for proposed investment.
• Eircode of site location must be included on application, drawings and plans.
• Ownership documents or a BPS/BISS Application Map, together with LPIS         numbers identifying the land parcels where the proposed investment will be     located.
• Companies Registration Office Certificate and Memorandum and Articles of     Association.
• Copies of drawings on which planning permission or declaration of                           exemption.
• In certain cases, an engineer’s report.
• Evidence of leasehold title (copy of valid lease including maps) for each site.

Previous SolarCo ground mount install on a farm.

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