Farmers will be able to sell excess electricity generated from projects under TAMS 3 to the national grid, the MREF understands.
The news comes amid a report in recent days that farmers cannot get paid for surplus power they send to the national grid from projects funded under TAMS 3.
The Micro-Renewable Energy Federation has issued a statement to clarify matters, following discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Smith comments
Micro-Renewable Energy Federation Chairman, Pat Smith, commented:
“MREF’s clear understanding is that under TAMS 3, circumstances can arise where electricity generated at off-peak times is greater than the onsite demand at that time will be exported to the grid.”
“It is permissible to receive payment from the electricity utility company for this exported electricity. Indeed, utility companies are obliged under EU law to remunerate customers where this situation occurs.”
However, Smith said that this scenario is subject to the condition that the quantity of electricity generated annually from the solar PV system is less than the quantity of electricity consumed annually onsite.
The Solar Energy Survey, which is part of the TAMS application, facilitates the department to ensure that this condition is observed.
Solar Capital Investment Scheme
The DAFM has announced the opening of applications for solar panels under its new Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) as part of its five-year €370 million Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), as reported by That’s Farming.
The scheme, which comes at a time of rising energy costs, aims to encourage the purchase of solar investments, thereby reducing dependence on fossil energy by farmers through:
- Higher grant rate at an enhanced of 60%;
- An increase in the size of available investments from 11kW to 62kW.
The scheme’s objectives are to:
- Lower the carbon footprint of primary production;
- Encourage self-consumption of renewable energy on holding and lower energy costs at farm level;
- Support the overall aim of a climate-neutral farm and a “more resilient” agricultural sector.
The solar scheme will be ring-fenced with its own investment ceiling of €90,000/holding, which is an increase from the previous €80,000.
According to the DAFM, multiple applications per tranche are permissible; however, the minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under this scheme is €2,000 per application.
Read more on this news article.
