Foigha Solar Farm

Solar energy farms are ground mounted installations that range in size. The solar panels are mounted onto a framing system which is installed on the ground. The solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert daylight into electricity. 

There is some noise generated on site during the construction stage, but this is only for a short duration. While the solar panels don’t produce noise, the inverters and transformers do. Due to the separation and positioning away from local dwellings, there will be no impact from the low-level noise emissions associated with the solar farm. A noise assessment will be submitted as part of the planning application.  

Solar panels produce energy from daylight rather than sunlight, so they continue to produce electricity even when the weather is overcast.

There can be some glint and glare from the panels, but we design and locate them to reduce this to a negligible amount, taking the location of properties and the local landscape into consideration. A glint and glare report will be produced as part of the planning submission for the solar farm.

At a typical height of 2.44 metres high, the PV panels are relatively low-lying in relation to features in the landscape. Although the panels will be occasionally visible as you move through the local area, the proposed development will be screened from most residential areas by topography and/or intervening vegetation. Enhancing the hedgerows throughout the site will also improve screening from local roads and villages. It is intended to manage and maintain perimeter hedgerows and planting to a height of 3-4 metres, with PV panels situated 10 metres back from the site boundary.

We start with a site feasibility assessment, which has already identified this site as a suitable place for a solar farm. We then move into a consultation and surveying phase, where we gather information and opinions on the proposal. Among other things, we assess the environmental, visual, and ecological impact of the site and consult with the local community, the council, and relevant public authorities. This information finalises the design and associated reports that are submitted with a planning application. The Local Authority will then follow their processes to determine the application, which concludes with permission either being granted or refused. 

Solar projects are carefully planned to ensure they do not interfere with the primary agricultural use of the land. In fact, many solar farms are designed to integrate with agricultural activities, such as sheep grazing beneath solar panels. This approach allows the land to continue contributing to food production while simultaneously generating clean energy.

After the lease, BayWa r.e. will decommission the solar farm and return the land to the farmer in its original condition. Any land classed as agricultural that hosts a solar energy farm maintains its classification throughout the course of the lease.  

Moreover, the total land required to meet Ireland’s solar energy targets is minimal—only about 0.2% of Ireland’s agricultural land. This small proportion of land use ensures that the impact on food production is negligible, while the benefits of clean, renewable energy are substantial.

Research funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) examined studies on property prices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, where ground-mounted solar PV systems are more prevalent than in Ireland. The review did not find any studies concluding that proximity to ground-mounted solar farms negatively affects property prices. 

During construction there will be some increase in traffic. A Construction Traffic Management Plan will be put in place, but disruption is expected to be minimal. 

A Community Liaison Officer will be available throughout the entire construction phase. They will keep you informed about delivery schedules and traffic management measures, ensuring you are always up to date with any developments.

On completion of the commissioning of the proposed solar farm, it will be an unmanned facility which will be remotely monitored. Operational and maintenance activities in relation to the solar farm will generate occasional vehicle trips.

In general, solar farms are considered to be very positive for biodiversity, as they can be incorporated into the landscape with relatively little intervention, require very little maintenance and have minimal impact on bird and animal species living on site or migrating through the site.  

In the case of Foigha Solar Farm, it is envisaged that land adjacent to Kilcommock church would be designated biodiversity area and species rich grassland. We welcome feedback from the local community on additional infrastructure that might enhance this designated area.

Energy storage systems are one of the ways in which we can progress with decarbonisation of our energy system. It is technology that allows for the use of renewable energy to happen more easily and flexibly. Energy generated by renewable energy sources can be stored in a storage system if the demand for electricity at that point in time is low. The energy can then be discharged back into the National Grid at times of higher demand. This also helps to secure a supply of domestically generated electricity into the local distribution network at a time of increased energy uncertainties due to dependencies on foreign supply.

The proposed underground cable route includes a crossing of the Royal Canal either by open trench or horizontal directional drill. A letter of consent has been provided by Waterways Ireland for this crossing, with the final method to be agreed subject to planning consent. Both crossing methods are described and assessed in the planning application application. 

There is no credible evidence to suggest that solar farms pose any health and safety concerns. Once installed, solar panels generate electricity without emitting harmful substances, pollutants, or greenhouse gases. Unlike fossil fuels, solar panels do not contribute to air or water pollution during operation.