The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is urging the Government to provide more certainty on solar energy.

IFA President Joe Healy made the announcement at a recent seminar in Portlaoise.

Although up to 15,000 acres of farmland in Ireland are under some form of solar contract, Mr Healy said a number of crucial questions remain to be addressed.

He said: "The European Commission will set out Ireland's emission reduction targets to be delivered by the year 2030 for the non-ETS sector, which includes farming. Solar energy has significant mitigation potential that could assist us in reaching those targets. The Government must come forward with greater policy certainty to facilitate this, as well as to deliver on our 2020 renewable energy obligations, on which we are currently falling short.

-- Advertisement --

"The use of farmland for solar PV could supplement and strengthen farm incomes, providing some level of guaranteed income to allow farmers to hedge against the severe income volatility that is more evident now than ever before. However, more clarity is needed around solar development so farm families can make informed decisions as to whether it represents a real opportunity to diversify their farm enterprises and maximise the income they generate from their farms."

(CD/LM)