What grants are there for solar panels on farms?

Two. TAMS 3 covers 60% of the cost of on-farm solar, up to a €90,000 investment ceiling, so the most it pays is €54,000. The SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant is also open to farms. You cannot use both on the same system.

How much do farm solar panels cost?

€20,000–€120,000 before grants, depending on system size. A typical dairy farm system of 30 to 60 kWp costs €27,000–€54,000, or €10,800–€21,600 after the TAMS 3 grant.

Is TAMS 3 or the SEAI grant better for a farm?

TAMS 3 is generally better for smaller systems, under about 50 kWp, because 60% of the cost beats the SEAI rates at most sizes. The SEAI grant can be better for very large systems, or if you have already used your TAMS 3 ceiling.

Can solar panels on a shed supply the farmhouse?

Yes. Under TAMS 3, panels on farm buildings can supply one farmhouse on the same holding, if the applicant or a family member lives in it.

Do farm solar panels need planning permission?

Not on a shed roof in most cases. Roof-mounted panels on farm buildings are exempt with no cap on area, or 300 m² inside a Solar Safeguarding Zone. Ground-mounted arrays in the yard are exempt up to 75 m². A solar farm exporting to the grid needs permission.

Can panels go on an asbestos shed roof?

No. Installers will not drill or mount panels on asbestos-cement sheeting. The roof has to be replaced first, and re-roofing is not an eligible TAMS 3 solar cost.

Farm solar panels in Ireland

Farm solar panels in Ireland cost €20,000–€120,000 before grants. The TAMS 3 grant covers 60% of the cost, up to a maximum grant of €54,000, and a typical system pays for itself in 4 to 6 years.

Prices last reviewed October 2026

The TAMS 3 grant for farm solar

Detail	TAMS 3 solar
Grant rate	60% of eligible costs
Young farmer rate	Up to 80%
Investment ceiling	€90,000 per holding
Maximum grant	€54,000
What it covers	Panels, inverter, mounting, wiring and battery storage
Who can apply	Registered farmers with a herd number

TAMS 3 is run by the Department of Agriculture. Wait for the approval letter before you buy equipment or start work, or you lose the grant. Your Teagasc adviser is the first call.

Farm solar cost by farm type

Farm	Typical system	Cost before grant	TAMS 3 grant	Cost after grant	Generation per year
Dairy	30 to 60 kWp	€27,000–€54,000	€16,200–€32,400	€10,800–€21,600	26,000 to 52,000 kWh
Tillage	20 to 40 kWp	€18,000–€36,000	€10,800–€21,600	€7,200–€14,400	17,000 to 34,000 kWh
Poultry or pig	50 to 100 kWp	€40,000–€80,000	€24,000–€48,000	€16,000–€32,000	43,000 to 86,000 kWh
Beef or mixed	10 to 30 kWp	€10,000–€27,000	€6,000–€16,200	€4,000–€10,800	8,600 to 26,000 kWh

Costs exclude VAT at 23%, which a VAT-registered farmer reclaims.

TAMS 3 or the SEAI grant?

TAMS 3: generally better for systems under about 50 kWp
SEAI grant: can be better for very large systems, or if your TAMS 3 ceiling is used up
Both: not allowed on the same system

The SEAI grant is doubled for applications to 6 July 2027, capped at 45% of the cost. See the SEAI grant rates.

Which shed roofs suit solar panels

Box-profile steel: the standard modern shed roof. Panels fix to the purlins.
Fibre-cement: case by case. Older sheets are often near the end of their life.
Asbestos-cement: cannot take panels. The roof must be replaced first.

A single hay shed can take a 50 to 100 kWp system without using any farmland.

Savings and payback

Payback after TAMS 3: 4 to 6 years
Bill saving: 40 to 60% of the electricity bill
Saving per year: €4,000–€15,000, depending on farm size
Export income: about 19.5c per kWh for surplus
Tax: 100% write-off in year one against farm income

Dairy, poultry and pig farms get the best return, because milk cooling and ventilation use electricity through the day.

Common questions

Pricing solar for your farm?