Solar Panel Grants for Farmers

Are you a farmer thinking about cutting energy costs while making your land more sustainable? Solar panel grants are now widely available to support farmers in Ireland through the Solar Capital Investment Scheme. 

These grants can cover up to 60% of installation costs, with clear rules on eligibility, funding caps, and system sizes. By investing in solar, you not only reduce reliance on traditional energy but also secure long-term savings. 

This blog explains everything you need to know about solar panel grants for farmers, from eligibility to application.

Let’s start!

What Are The Solar Panel Grants for Farmers With Funding And Limits?

Farmers in Ireland can benefit from the Solar Capital Investment Scheme, which provides targeted support to help install solar panels on farms. The aim is to reduce energy costs by using solar power for daily operations. Under this scheme, farmers can apply for funding worth up to 60% of the total investment cost, with a maximum ceiling of €90,000 per land holding. 

In practice, this means the highest grant a farmer can receive is €54,000, and any amount above the €90k limit will not be considered. Multiple grants are possible if the farmer has more than one land holding. 

The amount awarded is calculated using the lowest value from three possible figures: the Department’s official reference costings, the total of paid invoices (excluding VAT) plus labour or machinery contributions, or the cost proposed in the farmer’s grant application. This ensures fair and consistent funding across all applicants.

Who Can Apply for the Solar Capital Investment Scheme?

To access funding, both the applicant and their land must meet certain conditions set out under the scheme.

General Eligibility

Applicants must either own the land themselves or be an approved person applying on behalf of a qualifying farm. All solar energy generated must be used directly on the farm, including within the private dwelling if connected. 

The maximum system size allowed for grant aid is 62kWp, meaning larger systems can be installed but any extra capacity will not be covered by the grant.

Land Eligibility

The land must be owned, leased, or rented with a holding of at least five hectares. It also needs to be declared under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) or Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) during the year of application or the year before. 

Land connected to dwellings, amenity areas, forestry, quarries, or permanently submerged sites is not eligible. In addition, any land purposely adjusted to exploit the scheme may lead to the application being refused.

How to Apply for the Solar Capital Investment Scheme?

Farmers who wish to apply for solar panel grants must complete the process online through the Department of Agriculture’s official portal, as postal or email submissions are not accepted. Registration on the system is required before an application can be submitted. 

If an application is unsuccessful in one round, it will automatically move forward to the next, giving applicants another opportunity. However, if rejected a second time, it will return to draft status and require adjustments before resubmission. 

Upcoming deadlines for funding are set for 5 September 2025 and 5 December 2025, with the scheme expected to run until December 2027.

What Are The Solar PV System Rules for Farmers?

To qualify for grant support, solar PV systems on farms must meet specific technical and placement standards.

Panel Spacing

Farmers can install up to three panels side by side, but beyond that, a 50mm gap is required before the next set to allow safe spacing.

Ground-Mounting

When panels are placed on the ground, they must sit at least 300mm above the ground and be located within 500m of the farmyard.

Farm Buildings

Solar panels cannot be fitted on houses or detached garages; they must instead be fixed to recognised farmyard structures.

Solar Batteries

Battery storage qualifies for funding, but the system size eligible is capped at 50% of the solar PV output (kWp).

Conclusion

Solar panel grants for farmers offer a valuable opportunity to cut energy costs while supporting sustainability on farms. Through the Solar Capital Investment Scheme, farmers can access funding of up to 60% of installation costs, with clear eligibility rules for land, system size, and equipment. The application process is straightforward but must be done online, with specific deadlines and requirements to meet. By following the outlined criteria and ensuring the right setup, farmers can maximise both grant support and long-term energy savings.

Ready to make the most of these grants? Contact Going Solar today for expert guidance and installation services customised to your farm’s needs.