Agricultural solar for farmers. Cut costs, boost yields:
Investing in Solar Energy: A Smart Choice for Farmers.
As a farmer, you’re an entrepreneur, and a visionary, dedicated to preserving your family’s legacy by maximising the productivity of your land and property while also reducing your environmental impact.
At Elite Energies we know Irish farming. For over a decade, we’ve helped businesses across the country harness solar power, and we’re ready to do the same for your farm.
We only use top-tier components built to handle the Irish climate. Our team ensures a smooth, professional installation, & our commitment doesn’t end there. We’ll be there with you for after-installation support, making sure your solar panels deliver a reliable return for years to come.
Why should you choose agricultural solar PV?
- Substantially lower your electricity costs.
- Show your dedication to sustainability.
- Help Ireland achieve its climate goals.
- Secure a government grant of up to €90,000.
- Future-proof your farm against rising energy prices.
- Turn your space into a new income stream.
- Enjoy a low-maintenance, long-term investment.
- Power your most intensive operations for free.
Ireland’s Green Revolution: Farmers Lead the Charge with Solar Power
As the world transitions to renewables, Irish farmers have a significant opportunity to capitalise on solar power. By fitting solar panels onto the vast roof spaces of their sheds, often a dormant asset, farmers can secure their own energy supply and simultaneously become key contributors to the national grid.
The Full Package: Installation and Grant Success.
Solar energy for farms Ireland.
In terms of solar panels for farming, our ground systems offer a unique advantage to those with ample land mass or conversely, limited roof space.
Learn about the generous benefits of our bespoke ground mounted solar panels and their role in solar energy systems for agriculture.
Emboldening farmers with sustainable solutions. Combating energy bills with industrial solar power technology.
Save Electricity. Save Carbon. Save Money.
The Financial and environmental benefits
Once your solar panels are installed, you begin to generate your own clean electricity. This can lead to incredible savings on your annual energy costs.
Many of our clients have reported making savings of up to 80% per year on their electricity bills.
These savings are not just a one-off; they continue year after year, protecting your business from volatile energy prices.
This rapid and significant reduction in operating costs means that the remaining out-of-pocket expenses you paid for the installation can typically be recovered in as little as 2.5 years. After that, the electricity your farm generates is essentially free, creating a significant and ongoing return on your investment.
Learn how PV works on solar energy farms in Ireland.
Solar PV Panels
PV panels function by absorbing daylight and using it to create free electricity. Currents created by all of the panels combined adds up to enough electricity to help power your business.
System Shunt
A solar PV system shunt is a safety mechanism that functions as a circuit breaker. It provides a means to disconnect your electricity supply during an emergency, ensuring safety for you and your home.
Power inverter
The raw energy that is generated from the panels is referred to as DC or direct current. The inverter converts DC into AC electricity (alternating current) for storage and use around your business.
Distribution Board
Your commercial solar panel system is connected directly to your distribution (fuse board). Simply put, this is a control panel center for the entire electrical system of the business.
Battery Storage
Highly advanced batteries retain the free electricity sent from your power Inverter. Here it is stored for later use. This eliminates renewable electricity from being exported back to the grid.
Monitoring
Phone and computer applications provide you with real time information and historical data allowing you to understand your generation from your panels and how it is used in your building.
Car Chargers
Optional: The EV charger is a smart, eco-friendly solution for electric vehicles.
Some information & FAQ’s about commercial solar panel installations.
Financial supports and grants for solar PV in Ireland
Irish businesses installing solar PV systems of up to 1MW can benefit from a range of incentives to reduce upfront costs and encourage renewable energy adoption. These include:
Exemptions from planning permission in many cases
The ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid
The Non-Domestic Microgen Grant, which provides tiered support of €2,700–€162,600 (covering around 20–30% of project costs), available until 2025
The government has also extended Accelerated Capital Allowances for energy-efficient equipment, including solar PV.
Depending on your cash-flow, you can either invest upfront — cutting your bills by up to a third with a payback period as short as three years — or opt for a funded solar solution that requires no capital investment. With the latter, savings begin immediately, and ownership transfers to your business after the agreed contract term.
Evaluating your site’s suitability for solar
The effectiveness of solar PV depends largely on location and available space. Roofs facing south capture the most sunlight, though southeast, southwest, east, and west-facing roofs are also viable. In Ireland, the best tilt angle is around 30–40 degrees, but flat or varied pitches can be adapted with mounting systems.
Large rooftops, such as warehouses, can host up to 1MW systems, but many businesses typically install between 50kW and 300kW.
Rather than doing the measurements yourself, a professional survey from Elite Energies can assess your roof or ground space, electricity usage, and budget to recommend the most suitable system size.
Estimating solar power generation
Solar panels are rated by peak output. The general calculation is:
Panel capacity (kW) × average daylight hours = daily kWh produced
While actual figures fluctuate seasonally, annual averages are reliable indicators. In Ireland, 1kW of solar PV typically generates about 900 kWh per year. That means:
100kW system ≈ 90,000 kWh annually
1MW system ≈ 900,000 kWh annually
Understanding payback timelines
Businesses can usually expect their solar investment to pay for itself within 3–5 years. After this point, energy savings are essentially free, aside from minor maintenance. Modern PV panels also come with long warranties (up to 25 years on performance).
The payback calculation is straightforward:
(Annual kWh produced × electricity price) ÷ (System cost – Grant value) = Payback years
Accelerated Capital Allowances can further shorten the timeline.
Planning permission rules for solar PV
Recent planning changes make it easier than ever to install solar panels:
Most commercial rooftops have no size limits on solar PV before requiring planning permission
In Solar Safeguarding Zones, up to 300m² can be installed without planning approval
Ground-mounted or wall-mounted systems up to 75m² are also exempt
However, listed or protected buildings and conservation areas may still require approval on a case-by-case basis.
Selling surplus solar power to the grid
While many businesses choose to use surplus energy for EV charging onsite, exporting electricity to the grid is also an option.
Since 2022, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) has been in place. Under this scheme, suppliers pay businesses for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid. The rate depends on your supplier — currently ranging from around 19c to 25c per kWh.
For larger projects (1–6MW), the government has introduced the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Support Scheme (SRESS), which provides feed-in-premium tariffs for SME and community-led projects, avoiding the need for auction-style processes.
How do we apply for commercial solar grants?
We simplify the process for you. Our service includes assistance with the application, from initial paperwork to final submission. You can focus on your business while we ensure your application is complete, compliant, and optimised for approval.
Book a consultation with our commercial experts to map out your energy strategy. We specialise in helping Irish businesses like yours navigate financial incentive programs to make your transition to solar power more affordable
What level of disruption should we expect during the installation process?
Minimising disruption is at the core of our project planning. Our team expertly schedules installations around your operational rhythms, ensuring your business continues smoothly. We pride ourselves on a seamless process where safety and efficiency are paramount, allowing for a transition to solar energy with zero downtime.
Farming Solar Panels
Some of our farm installations below.
