OVER 150 farmers turned out last Thursday at a farm in Abbey, Loughrea, for a solar power information event, highlighting the ‘economic and environmental sense’ of tapping into the sun’s energy.

The solar information event was hosted by Bertie and Brian Roche and was addressed by expert speakers from Bord Gáis and the IFA – Christina Ngo and Peter Clarke.

Galway-Mayo IFA Regional Executive, Roy O’Brien, said that it was incumbent on farmers to ‘investigate the figures’ on the solar power option given the grants, tax and VAT reliefs that were available.

“This is an option which every farmer should certainly go to the bother of checking out the nuts-and-bolts of solar power.

“There are a range of benefits which apply, most notably a 60% TAMS grant for the solar panels, batteries and inverters.

“The financial outlay is tax deductible, the VAT can be reclaimed, and if the same meter is being used for both the house and farm, this can give a major reduction in the domestic electricity bill,” said Roy O’Brien.

He added that with a growing emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint on farms, the solar energy option ‘ticked nearly all the boxes’ both from an environmental and economic perspective.

“In fairness to the Government, they have provided a really meaningful grants provision in TAMS [Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme] while the tax and VAT provisions are also very attractive,” said Roy O’Brien.

Host farmer, Bertie Roche, said that within a period of four to five years – and possibly less – the investment in solar energy would pay for itself.

“For example, if the total cost of the project came to €50,000, with the 60% TAMS grant the net cost to the farmer then works out at €20,000.

“The net energy cost saving can work out at between €4,000 to €4,500 per year – so the figures do really add up. It’s an option, I believe, that every farmer should look at seriously,” said Bertie Roche.

He added that he had found Bord Gáis extremely helpful in terms of advice and guideline in the setting up of the solar power operation on his farm. “They [Bord Gáis] were very decent, professional and obliging to deal with,” said Bertie Roche.

Galway IFA Chairman, Stephen Canavan, said that every farmer owed it to themselves to take a serious look at the solar energy option.

“This is a partnership between the IFA and Bord Gáis Energy, a most reputable company with a proven track record in the Irish energy sector.

“Farmers considering the solar energy option – and all of them should certainly have a close look at it – can be confident that they are dealing with a company who are trustworthy and are not ‘fly-by-night’ operators,” said Stephen Canavan.

He said that while the solar option might not be for every farmer, there would still be a large tranche of farmers suitable for the solar option.

“It makes sense from a lot of different perspectives. In the past, farmers have been unfairly pilloried on environmental issues but the solar option can be a win-win option on all fronts,” said Stephen Canavan.

He said that Galway farmers could make initial queries on the solar energy option by contacting the IFA office in Athenry on 091-844268.

Pictured: Barry Mullen, Michael Hardiman, Gerry Reilly, Pat Hardiman, Jeremy Dolan at the IFA solar information event held at the Roche family farm in Kylemore, Abbey, Loughrea. photos: Hany Marzouk