Solar Ireland Response: Responsible Solar Development Is Already Guided by Evidence and Best Practice

Recent commentary on solar development and agricultural land highlights an important national discussion but also risks overlooking the evidence, progress, and planning guidance already in place.

Solar Ireland – the representative body for Ireland’s solar industry – agrees that solar must be developed responsibly, transparently, and with respect for communities and the rural landscape. That is exactly why, in partnership with Fehily Timoney and funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), we published the Best Practice Planning Guidance Report for Large-Scale Solar Energy Development in Ireland (2023).

This guidance was produced following extensive consultation with local authorities, prescribed bodies, and environmental stakeholders, and sets out clear, evidence-based criteria for site selection, biodiversity management, and community engagement. It provides the framework that can inform the forthcoming National Planning Statement on solar.

Low-impact, dual-use land management

Contrary to recent claims, solar farms are low-impact, reversible developments that can co-exist with agricultural activity.

• Typically, only 2–5% of grassland on a solar site is disturbed.
• The remainder remains available for sheep grazing, pollinator habitats and biodiversity planting, often improving soil health and supporting wildlife.
• Case studies such as Power Capital’s Lysaghtstown Solar Farm in Co. Cork show over 24,000 m² of buffer zones, 2 km of native hedgerows, and 19 bird species supported on-site.

These projects demonstrate that Ireland can meet its renewable targets while protecting farmland and biodiversity.

Evidence of economic and community benefit

According to the Sunrise Economic Impact Report (KPMG for Solar Ireland, 2024):

• The solar sector could contribute €2.3 – €2.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Irish economy between 2025 and 2030.
• It currently supports over 6,000 jobs, rising to more than 7,000 by 2030, the majority located outside Dublin.
• Solar farms are expected to generate €164 – €193 million in commercial rates and €49 – €58 million in Community Benefit Funds for local communities by 2030.

These are not speculative figures - they reflect a sector that is already creating rural jobs, funding community initiatives, and diversifying farm income across the country.

Scale of progress and national contribution

The latest Scale of Solar 2025 report shows:

• Installed solar capacity has increased by 160% since 2023, now reaching 1.77 GW.
• Solar generated an estimated 1.56 TWh in 2025, enough to power 370,000 homes and avoid 395,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
• Ireland’s solar farms, from Meath to Cork, are built to scale and designed for tomorrow, powering communities while enhancing biodiversity and local resilience.

A call for evidence-based policy

Ireland does not face a “legislative vacuum.” The foundation for clear, balanced planning already exists through the guidance, statutory frameworks, and ongoing engagement between Solar Ireland, Government, developers, and local authorities.