Solar Panels for Poultry Farms in Ireland
Intensive poultry units are one of the strongest cases for commercial solar in Ireland. Broiler and layer sheds draw power almost continuously for ventilation fans, lighting and heating, and that demand peaks in summer exactly when solar generation is at its highest. Big shed roofs give you ample space to cover it. The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme pays up to 60% of the cost on systems up to 11 kWp, which makes the payback faster than almost any other building type. Compare quotes from installers who work on farms.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Most Irish poultry farms install 11-100 kWp of rooftop solar, with 11 kWp the sweet spot under TAMS 3 (planning-exempt and up to 60% grant on agricultural buildings). Sized to ventilation, lighting and heating loads that run day and night, an 11 kWp system costs roughly €9,000-€11,000 before grant, can fall to around €4,000-€5,000 after TAMS 3, and typically pays back in 4-7 years thanks to very high self-consumption.
Why solar suits poultry farms
A poultry unit has two things that make solar PV work well: a large near-continuous electrical load and a lot of roof. Ventilation fans run around the clock to control temperature, humidity and air quality in the shed, lighting runs on a managed daily cycle, and heating supports young birds. That demand lines up closely with when panels generate, so a well-sized array is mostly self-consumed rather than exported, and self-consumption is where the money is.
The load profile is the key. Unlike a farm with sharp morning and evening peaks, a poultry shed pulls a steady base load all day and all night. Crucially, ventilation demand peaks in warm summer weather, when fans run hardest to keep birds cool, and that is exactly when solar output is strongest. The two curves line up almost perfectly, so daytime generation is consumed on site immediately rather than exported cheaply.
Roof space is rarely the constraint. A modern broiler or layer house gives a large, unshaded, often south or east–west facing roof, far more than a house. That means you can size the system to the load rather than to the available area. For the wider picture across all farm types, see our farm solar guide.
Ventilation fans
Fans are the single biggest load on most poultry units and run day and night, peaking in summer right when solar output is at its highest.
Lighting
Managed lighting programmes run on a daily cycle across the shed, a steady load that solar covers well during daylight hours.
Heating
Brooding heat for young birds and any electric supplementary heating add to a continuous base load that suits high self-consumption.
What size solar system does a poultry farm need?
Most Irish poultry farms install between 11 and 100 kWp. 11 kWp is the headline figure because it is the ceiling for the TAMS 3 grant and stays planning-exempt on an agricultural building, so it is the default starting point for a single shed. Multi-shed sites, large layer flocks or significant heating loads can justify 30–100 kWp, though above 11 kWp you move from TAMS 3 to the Non-Domestic Microgen Grant and may need planning for the part over the exemption cap.
| Unit Size | Typical System | Panels (approx.) | Annual Generation | Best Grant Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single shed (~20,000 birds) | 6–11 kWp | 14–26 | ~5,000–9,500 kWh | TAMS 3 (up to 60%) |
| 1–2 sheds (~40,000 birds) | 11 kWp | ~26 | ~9,500 kWh | TAMS 3 (up to 60%) |
| 2–4 sheds (~80,000 birds) | 20–50 kWp | 46–115 | ~17,000–43,000 kWh | NDMG |
| 4+ sheds / large layer unit | 50–100 kWp | 115–230 | ~43,000–86,000 kWh | NDMG |
Generation assumes the average Irish yield of around 860 kWh per kWp per year. Actual figures depend on roof pitch, orientation and shading. A site survey and a year of meter data give the accurate sizing, oversizing past your continuous shed load just pushes more cheap export rather than displacing import.
Poultry farm solar grants, ACA and payback
For poultry farms the headline grant is TAMS 3, not the standard SEAI grant. The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme funds up to 60% of the cost of on-farm solar up to 11 kWp (the higher rate applies to eligible young trained farmers and partnerships; the standard rate is 40%). Systems within that 11 kWp cap are planning-exempt on agricultural buildings, and TAMS support stacks with the Clean Export Guarantee for any surplus you do export.
Above 11 kWp the TAMS 3 cap is exceeded, so larger arrays use the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) instead, which runs up to a maximum of €162,600 on large systems. Poultry producers can also look at the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, which offers 40% support on qualifying farm investment as an alternative agri-investment route. You apply under one scheme or the other, not both, so the size you choose drives which grant fits.
| System | Gross Cost (est.) | Grant Route | Net Cost (est.) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 kWp | €9,000–€11,000 | TAMS 3 (40–60%) | €4,000–€6,600 | 4–6 years |
| 30 kWp | €24,000–€30,000 | NDMG (€9,000) | €15,000–€21,000 | 5–7 years |
| 50 kWp | €40,000–€55,000 | NDMG (€12,000) | €28,000–€43,000 | 5–7 years |
| 100 kWp | €70,000–€100,000 | NDMG (€22,000) | €48,000–€78,000 | 6–8 years |
Installed cost on farms runs roughly €800–€900 per kWp at commercial scale, with smaller TAMS-capped systems at the higher end per kWp. Figures are estimates for 2026 and exclude battery storage, which is not covered by NDMG.
Accelerated Capital Allowance
Farms trading as a company can claim the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA), writing off 100% of qualifying solar and battery cost against profits in year one through the Triple-E register. Sole-trader farms should check the available capital allowances with their accountant.
Where the savings come from
Commercial electricity costs around 22c/kWh to import while exported surplus earns roughly 18c/kWh, so displacing your own shed load is worth more than exporting. Poultry units run ventilation day and night with a summer peak that lines up with the sun, so self-consumption is very high, often above 90%, which is why the returns are strong, typically a 10–15% annual return.
Roof, planning and install specifics for poultry farms
The practical details on a poultry farm differ from a warehouse or office. Plan for these before you commit to a system size.
| Factor | What to check on a poultry farm |
|---|---|
| Roof structure | Large shed roofs are ideal but older units may have light-gauge purlins or fibre-cement sheeting; an installer should confirm the roof carries the panel and mounting load before fixing. |
| Planning | Up to 11 kWp on an agricultural building is planning-exempt under the rooftop exemption; larger arrays or ground-mount may need permission. |
| Load matching | Ventilation runs day and night with a summer peak that aligns with solar generation, so most output is consumed on site without needing a battery. |
| Grid connection | ESB Networks NC6 covers smaller systems and NC7 covers larger ones up to 200kW; inverters must meet EN 50549. |
| Orientation | East–west shed roofs spread generation across the whole day, which can suit a continuous ventilation load better than a single south-facing pitch. |
Do you need a battery on a poultry unit?
Often not. Because ventilation, lighting and heating run a steady load through the day and night, a poultry shed self-consumes most of its solar generation as it is produced, so the case for a battery is weaker than on farms with sharp peaks. A battery can still shift surplus into the overnight base load, but the higher day and night demand means many poultry units see strong returns from panels alone.
Poultry Farm Solar FAQ
How big a solar system does a poultry farm need?
Most Irish poultry farms install 11-100 kWp. An 11 kWp system suits a single shed and is the cap for the TAMS 3 grant while staying planning-exempt on agricultural buildings. Multi-shed sites, large layer flocks or heavy heating loads can justify 30-100 kWp under the NDMG grant. Sizing should be matched to your ventilation, lighting and heating loads, ideally using a year of meter data.
What grant can a poultry farm get for solar panels?
The headline grant for poultry farms is the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme, which funds up to 60% of on-farm solar up to 11 kWp (40% standard rate, with a higher rate for eligible young trained farmers and partnerships). Above 11 kWp, farms use the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) instead, up to a maximum of €162,600. The Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme is an alternative agri-investment route offering 40% support. You apply under one scheme, not both.
Does an 11 kWp poultry farm solar system need planning permission?
No. Rooftop solar up to 11 kWp on an agricultural building is planning-exempt in Ireland, which is why 11 kWp is the common starting point for poultry farms. Larger arrays beyond the exemption cap, or ground-mounted systems, may need planning permission. Your installer should confirm the exemption applies to your specific building.
Will solar cover the ventilation and lighting load?
Yes, to a high degree. Ventilation fans, lighting and heating run a continuous base load day and night, and ventilation peaks in summer exactly when solar output is highest. Because the demand curve lines up so well with generation, poultry units typically reach very high self-consumption, often above 90%, so most of what the panels make is used on site rather than exported.
What is the payback on solar panels for a poultry farm?
An 11 kWp system costs roughly €9,000-€11,000 before grant and can fall to around €4,000-€6,600 after TAMS 3, giving a payback of about 4-6 years. Larger NDMG-funded systems typically pay back in 5-8 years. Payback is driven by very high self-consumption, since displacing import at about 22c/kWh is worth more than exporting surplus at about 18c/kWh, and poultry sheds consume power around the clock.
Related Guides
Solar for Farms
On-farm solar: TAMS 3 grant, sizing by enterprise, ROI.
Solar for Pig Farms
Pig unit solar: ventilation & heat lamps, TAMS 3, sizing.
Farm Solar
Farm solar panels: TAMS 3 grant (60%), costs, and sizing by farm type.
Commercial Solar
Solar panels for Irish businesses: costs, NDMG grants, and ROI.
Sources
- SEAI, Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMG)
- SEAI, Accelerated Capital Allowance
- ESB Networks, Micro and Small-Scale Generation
- DAFM, TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme
Last updated: July 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.
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