GALWAY farmers have been asked to  ‘seriously consider’ the use of solar panels on their shed roofs given that there is a 60% TAMS grant available for such projects.

Stephen Canavan, Galway IFA Chair, said that every farmer ‘owed it to themselves’ to seriously assess the long-term financial benefits from the generation of electricity from solar panels.

“If the cost of the panels and their installation can be paid off within a period of four to five years then the long-term financial returns from the investment have to make it an attractive proposition,” Stephen Canavan told the Farming Tribune.

He said that at the very least, farmers should take a serious look at the long-term economic benefits of installing the solar panels, given that the TAMS [Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme] would meet up to 60% of the cost.

“Galway farmers will get an opportunity this Thursday evening on the farm of Bertie and Brian Roche to get more information on the solar option as well as asking any questions on the subject,” said Stephen Canavan.

This evening’s [Thursday, June12] Solar Information Evening takes place on the Roche farm in Abbey, Loughrea [H62 AP84] starting at 7pm.

The two guest speakers will be Christina Ngo, Bord Gáis Energy and Peter Clarke, IFA and Bord Gáis Energy. IFA and Bord Gáis Energy are now working in partnership as part of a ‘Solar in Action’ series of on-farm events.

Farmers attending will hear first-hand from those who have already installed rooftop solar, learning about their experience, costs, benefits, and practical insights into how it’s working on their farms.

Additionally, speakers from IFA and Bord Gáis Energy will present details on the application process, TAMS and the technology used by IFA and Bord Gáis Energy.

The event series also highlights the support available to farmers through the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme, which offers grant aid of up to 60% for eligible rooftop solar installations.

IFA President Francie Gorman said that Irish farmers were stepping up to the energy challenge with ‘Solar In Action’ showing the real, practical steps farms can take to cut costs and carbon.

“These are working farms, already producing their clean energy with IFA-Bord Gáis Energy rooftop systems – and the TAMS grant makes it even  more accessible,” said Francie Gorman.

■ The event is free and all are welcome.

Pictured: Solar panels: Well worth looking into with a 60% grant.