Homeowners with solar panels could earn up to €400 a year under a new Government initiative.

Campaigners opposing a large solar farm planned in West Cork have called on the Government and local authorities to introduce legislation and guidelines to control and regulate the development of such projects around the country.

A public meeting is to be held in a West Cork village tonight over controversial proposals to site between 16 and 18 acres of solar panels near a number of homes on the outskirts of the village.