The National Ploughing Championships are underway for three days this week, with people flocking from all over the country for competitions and fun, but also to see the latest innovations in technology which can determine the future of Irish farming.

Solar power and renewable energy have a big role to play in Irish agriculture, whether talking about the development of solar farms on agricultural land, or how renewable energy can help Irish farmers save money.

Other green energy technologies are also on display this week, from electric tractors to biomass boilers.

Multiple solar panel installers are exhibiting at this year’s National Ploughing Championships looking to catch the eye of farmers who are considering going green.

Solar power can provide massive savings for farmers on their electricity bills, with significant grant support available from the government.

• Start Solar – Start Solar is one of Ireland’s leading solar panel installers.
• Solar Exposure – A Clare based solar panel installer.
• Greenway Solar & Robotics – Tipperary based company which installs solar panels, EV chargers, and also sells robotic mowers.
• SSE –  SSE is a major developer of renewable energy including solar power, onshore and offshore wind, battery storage, hydro power, hydrogen, and more.

The Irish Farmers Journal is holding three demonstrations from their main strand at the centre of the championships on a wide range of topics covering 

On the first day of the Ploughing Championship Renewable Editor at the paper Stephen Robb held a demonstration of how renewable energy can be used for the benefit of Irish farms.

He organised a live demo of solar panels and a wind turbine in operation, and how they can be utilised to power farms.

That same day, the Irish Farmers Journal also held a roundtable discussion talking about solar power, large and small scale, and what it means for farmers.

This panel discussion featured James Redmond, head of development for Ireland at BayWa r.e. talking about how the development of solar farms will affect Irish farmers and their importance in meeting Ireland’s emissions targets.

Commercial Sales Manager with Solarco Gerard Kennedy, meanwhile, led the discussion on rooftop solar, and the various incentives and advantages it can give to Irish farmers.

Aside from the role that agricultural land could play in the development of solar farms to decarbonise the national grid, it is more attractive than ever for farmers to install rooftop solar panels to reduce their own electricity consumption from the grid.

Last year the government slashed VAT on all solar panel installations from 13.5% to 0%, potentially saving thousands of euro on the cost of a solar PV installation.
Farmers can also avail of direct grant funding of up to €90,000 under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.

This is part of the Department of Agriculture’s TAMS 3 programme to support the modernisation of Irish farms.

Other exhibitors at the National Ploughing Championships are showing off a range of renewable energy technologies including wind power, biomass biolers, and electric vehicles.

• Dragon Heat – A UK based company which make biomass boilers which can run off burning agricultural byproducts.
• ABO Energy – A worldwide manufacturer and operator of wind farms, as well as battery storage and hydrogen projects.
• Wind Energy Ireland – The representative body for the Irish wind industry, here promoting green wind energy.
• Kubota – The well know farm machinery manufacturer is including is compact electric tractor in the range of vehicles on display.
• eStation – The EV charging station company is exhibiting its range of charging solutions for businesses.