The increasing scale of solar panels projects could lead to the “major downscaling if not the collapse of the dairy industry”, according to Cork-East TD James O’Connor.
The Fianna Fáil deputy was discussing solar panel projects on Irish farmland with former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan on Today with Claire Byrne in which he spoke about how one of Cork’s largest dairy farms has partnered with Danish multinational Ørsted, to develop a major solar farm project.
Although Youghal farmer Tom Browne has confirmed that the family farm will not be exiting dairy, concerns have been raised by rural people in Cork about the scale of renewables projects in their constituency.
O’Connor said the money that farmers can make from renting land for solar panels hides the money that would be leaving the agriculture sector.
“Eamon here is presenting to me what is a Trojan horse argument to the agricultural community in Ireland, farmers don’t trust Eamon Ryan’s message,” he said.
“I don’t believe that swallowing up the very best agricultural grounds in the country that have enormous economic impact in a positive way for rural Ireland is the solution to Ireland’s energy needs.”
Solar panels
The government’s climate plan has issued targets of 40,000ac of solar farms. O’Connor said that countries like Italy and the Netherlands are revising their rules around land use policy.
He added that reductions to productive agricultural land will have impacts to the wider agricultural sector, such as veterinary practices, and silage and dairy contractors.
In response, Eamon Ryan said that it is the farmer’s decision at the end of the day if they want to get solar panels.
“No ones forcing a farm, you don’t have to switch your land over but for the country it’s a huge benefit because this will bring down the price of electricity for everybody. Solar is the cheapest power available to us now.
“It will benefit the farmer because you will get a very steady income and it doesn’t mean you have to be doing it forever in a day. These are relatively easy to install and can be taken away at the end of the lifetime of [the solar panels].”
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The increasing scale of solar panels projects could lead to the “major downscaling if not the collapse of the dairy industry”, according to Cork-East TD James O’Connor.
The Fianna Fáil deputy was discussing solar panel projects on Irish farmland with former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan on Today with Claire Byrne in which he spoke about how one of Cork’s largest dairy farms has partnered with Danish multinational Ørsted, to develop a major solar farm project.
Although Youghal farmer Tom Browne has confirmed that the family farm will not be exiting dairy, concerns have been raised by rural people in Cork about the scale of renewables projects in their constituency.
O’Connor said the money that farmers can make from renting land for solar panels hides the money that would be leaving the agriculture sector.
“Eamon here is presenting to me what is a Trojan horse argument to the agricultural community in Ireland, farmers don’t trust Eamon Ryan’s message,” he said.
“I don’t believe that swallowing up the very best agricultural grounds in the country that have enormous economic impact in a positive way for rural Ireland is the solution to Ireland’s energy needs.”
Solar panels
The government’s climate plan has issued targets of 40,000ac of solar farms. O’Connor said that countries like Italy and the Netherlands are revising their rules around land use policy.
He added that reductions to productive agricultural land will have impacts to the wider agricultural sector, such as veterinary practices, and silage and dairy contractors.
In response, Eamon Ryan said that it is the farmer’s decision at the end of the day if they want to get solar panels.
“No ones forcing a farm, you don’t have to switch your land over but for the country it’s a huge benefit because this will bring down the price of electricity for everybody. Solar is the cheapest power available to us now.
“It will benefit the farmer because you will get a very steady income and it doesn’t mean you have to be doing it forever in a day. These are relatively easy to install and can be taken away at the end of the lifetime of [the solar panels].”
Read more
Cork communities protest over solar, wind and battery projects
Browne seeks planning for sheds
Solar farm-approved land with annual lease for sale
Harnessing the sun: clover and solar energy
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