Solar farms facing backlash, says TD

Communities are hitting back at a surge in solar farm construction spreading across the country with no specific planning guidelines in place to regulate them.

A new planning application for a solar farm — typically 30 acres of solar panels — is being lodged every two-and-a-half days but the Government has not put in place guidance to oversee their development.

Now public representatives and developers are warning of a backlash by communities against the projects which could be vital in helping Ireland avoid massive fines if we fail to meet our 2020 targets for electricity production from clean energy sources.