Ireland's First SRESS Solar Project Energises at Cork Farm

Meadhill Solar farm in Cork has become the first solar project in Ireland to energise under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has welcomed the milestone.

The 650 kW project was developed by local farmer Sean Keating and allows sheep to graze around and beneath the solar panels. It generates enough clean electricity to power 150 local households annually.

Meadhill Solar farm is located in Meadstown, Kildorrery, Co. Cork, and was installed by PV Generation. It features more than 1,000 solar panels across 1.5 acres. Support from SRESS, along with a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by Flogas, made the project possible.

Meadhill farm is a 110 acre dairy farm, milking 86 Pedigree Reg Holstein Friesian cows. According to the press release, the project demonstrates how, with the assistance of SRESS, farmers can supplement their farming with a long-term, stable source of income.

The milestone comes just weeks after Ireland surpassed 3 GW of installed solar capacity.

Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment:

"The energisation of Meadhill Solar, the first project under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity [sic] Scheme, represents an important part of Ireland's continued solar sector expansion."

He added:

"Over 1 GW of solar capacity has been added so far this year alone, demonstrating the extraordinary pace of growth in the sector."

SRESS provides a route to market for community groups, farmers, businesses and others. Support is provided through a guaranteed 15-year tariff, with a significantly higher tariff for community projects compared to commercial developers.

Niall Collins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine:

"Microgeneration technologies such as solar provides [sic] an opportunity to farmers to generate an additional and diversified income source."

Ireland now has nearly 3.2 GW of solar capacity installed, including almost 1.9 GW of utility-scale solar. Data from the CSO shows that over 200,000 homes across Ireland have installed solar panels. Onshore wind remains Ireland's dominant source of renewable energy, with over 5 GW generation capacity connected to the network.

In February 2026, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment commenced a review of the SRESS tariffs. The existing tariff rates continue to apply while the work is underway, with completion expected later this year.