Ireland’s solar power revolution is well under way. Despite vocal opposition to individual planning applications, the Solar Ireland Scale of Solar Report expects there will be 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity by the end of this year.

In July, solar power reached 9.4 per cent of Ireland’s electricity demand. For a technology that just a couple of decades ago was considered unsuitable for Ireland, this is a remarkable transformation.

Utility-scale solar projects can range from relatively small schemes covering a few hectares or very large installations such as the Gallanstown solar farm in Co Meath, which covers 500 acres and is capable of generating 198 MWp (megawatt-peak) of power, the equivalent power demand of 40,000 homes.

Looking at the list of solar farm projects that are either connected or contracted, one aspect stands out. In most instances energy utility companies are the project developers, not farmers. That applies even when the panels are going on farmland. Local communities fear that land ownership is shifting away from traditional farmers to foreign firms and pension funds.

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