Frequently Asked Questions
The solar energy from the farm works by converting sunlight into electricity using PV panels, which are made up of many solar cells. These solar cells, absorb sunlight and generate an electric current through the photovoltaic effect. The generated electricity is then converted and fed into the power grid or stored for later use.
Further information on how a solar farm works is available here:
The Irish Solar Energy Association has prepared a number of fact sheets that help explain solar energy in greater detail.
1. ISEA Solar PV Factsheet
2. ISEA Solar and Agri Factsheet
3. ISEA Solar PV & Planning Factsheet
4. ISEA Solar & Jobs Factsheet
If approved, Killough Solar would support Ireland’s target of achieving 8GW of operational solar by 2030 (as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2024) and reaching net zero by 2050. It would also see Coolmore operations becoming even more strongly climate positive, complementing a range of current biodiversity and sustainability initiatives.
Located in a rural location 8km in Killough outside of Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Killough Solar is a discrete, low-lying site ideally suited for solar development.
With a low density of solar panels (c. 40 per cent of the landholding) and key access to solar gains, it is screened by the local topography and enhanced hedgerows. The site has been carefully selected for its sheltered position, set back from public roads, and substantially bordered by over 50 hectares of woodland and a large open quarry.
Extensive measures are in place to protect local wildlife, hedgerows and archaeology. The land beneath the solar panels can still be used for agriculture such as for sheep or other livestock to graze and pass under the panels.
The current public consultation and planning phase will run until November 2024. During this phase, we will listen to and incorporate the views of our community into our planning designs. By the end of 2024 it is our intention to submit a planning application for Killough Solar to Tipperary County Council.
Killough Solar will supply renewable solar energy to the electricity grid, via an existing, nearby 110kV overhead line, producing energy equivalent to the annual needs of 25,000 households or a population comparable to 68,500 people.
New solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight, not reflect it, so they produce minimal glint and glare. The glint and glare associated with solar panels is no more than the reflective characteristics of water. Independent Landscape and Visual consultants, MacroWorks, will develop a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) report as part of the planning process.
Solar farms are generally very quiet. The only noise sources on the solar farm will be from inverter or transformer stations spread around the site, however these should be inaudible from outside of the farm. An independent noise and vibration consultant will analyse the noise emissions from these sources to ensure they are below regulatory limits.
In due course, we will seek to build a discreetly housed GIS substation, akin to a farm shed, designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape and acoustically insulated to be inaudible from outside the farm.
This will be a quick build, low-impact construction that is expected to take 18 months, and traffic mitigation measures will ensure little disruption.
Subject to planning, grid connection, tender, construction and commercial off take agreements, it is likely to be several years before the solar farm becomes operational.
The Killough Solar development will have minimal traffic impact, and a comprehensive Traffic Management Plan will be drafted and submitted as part of the application. During construction, traffic will be confined to major roads. Well-designed site entrances will ensure smooth traffic flow.
Killough Solar is expected to support 80 to 100 jobs during the anticipated 18-month construction phase.
Priority will be given to local suppliers, where practicable.
We are committed to protecting the local environment and heritage. To ensure this happens, we have brought together best-in-class industry experts across environmental and archaeological preservation.
Our Landscape and Visual consultants, MacroWorks, will develop a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) report as part of the planning process. They will develop photomontages which will show viewpoints of the site both before and after which will include planned screening and planting.
The overall solar farm design will include discreet fencing, hedgerows, and the planting of native tree and shrub species along the boundary of the solar farm. A team of landscape architects will design the native hedges to screen the fence from outside the site, so the fence, when constructed, should not be visible from outside the site.
Research funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) examined property prices in countries with more ground-mounted solar PV than Ireland, including the US, UK, and Germany. This study found no evidence that proximity to solar farms negatively impacts property values. Additionally, several An Bord Pleanála (ABP) Inspector’s reports have not identified any property devaluation resulting from solar array development when assessing residential amenity.
These findings suggest that solar farms are unlikely to devalue nearby properties. The report can be located here.
There are many ways to participate and contribute throughout the duration of the project. There will be opportunities to provide feedback on the planning application and to ask our experts any questions you may have at our public information and consultation clinics. The clinics will be hosted in the nearby Killough Castle, which though located on the farm, is not part of the proposed development. We will update you at each stage of the project.
To stay informed about how you can participate and to receive updates, please see here.
Subject to planning and a successful outcome in a future Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction, a Community Benefit Fund will be established, likely contributing more than €3 million over 16.5 years. Community participation will be key to deciding how best to invest this fund locally.
Yes. Solar panels are primarily constructed from silicon, and the electronic components are fully encased, resulting in no risk of leakage or leaching of the panels over their lifetime.
Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electro Magnetic Fields, often termed ELF-EMF (refers to EMF at less than 60 cycles-per-second – or 60 Hertz). EMF occurs naturally in our environment and even in our bodies as part of the normal functioning of our cardiac and nervous systems. All electric equipment, including televisions, mobile phones, and vacuum cleaners, also produce EMF.
EMF will be produced by the proposed inverter/transformer stations located around the solar farm. For individual inverter/transformer stations, levels lower than 0.4 μT at 30 metres from each station can be reasonably anticipated.
The land beneath the solar panels can continue to be used for agricultural practices such as pastureland for sheep or other livestock which can pass under the panels, as well as being used for crop cultivation and beekeeping. Using areas under solar panels for agriculture is a common practice to help maintain the areas and manage grassland.
Killough Solar will provide for ecological restoration and measures to increase biodiversity across the site, compatible with certain agricultural uses in and around the solar panels.
Solar panels have a lifespan of about 40 years. After that they can be recycled, and the land can be returned to its original use. There are several companies that specialise in recycling solar equipment, and they can extract valuable materials such as silicon and aluminium from the panels. Restoration and decommissioning will be addressed in our planning application for Tipperary County Council approval.
No. Killough Solar has no involvement in proposals to develop a biogas project in the nearby quarry.