Attending the Irish Planning Institute conference this week, I found myself listening to a Minister and an official who talked about blockages to delivery of projects of various kinds.
One area where the government could address blockages is in providing guidelines for the proper assessment of various development types. For example, at present, solar utility development planning applications, commonly referred to as solar farms, are growing in number yet there is no statutory guidance available at all to Irish planning officials as regards the proper assessment of such proposals.
Ireland Needs Statutory Guidelines for Assessing Solar Farm Development Planning Applications. If one wants to understand why judicial reviews arise, it is due in many cases to failure to advise local communities in advance that such developments are even possible in their area(s). Development Plans do not indicate where such development is appropriate. Unzoned open fields suddenly become the site of large-scale proposals in a manner which is not plan-led. It is somewhat of a wild west or a gold rush with lands not previously ever deemed suitable for intensive development(s) now suddenly seemingly available in any rural area for these schemes. Every field in Ireland seems now rezoned for solar development. Is this the correct approach or should some fields be deemed more appropriate than others? Should some areas be wholly excluded? Should people purchasing homes in rural areas have the right to know in advance that a solar farm proposal may arrive at any time in lands surrounding their future home?
Ireland is at a critical juncture in its transition to renewable energy. With ambitious targets set under the Climate Action Plan to achieve 8GW of solar capacity by 2030, solar farms are increasingly seen as a vital component of the nation's energy mix. However, the rapid expansion of these projects has exposed significant gaps in the planning system. As of July 2025, there are still no specific planning guidelines for solar energy developments, leaving applications to be assessed on a case-by-case basis under the general provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This absence of statutory guidelines leads to inconsistencies, delays, and conflicts that hinder progress toward net-zero goals while failing to adequately address environmental, community, and economic concerns. Below, I explore the key reasons why Ireland urgently needs dedicated statutory guidelines for solar farm planning applications.
Without standardised guidelines, planning authorities across Ireland apply varying criteria to solar farm applications, resulting in unpredictable outcomes. What might be approved in one county could be rejected in another due to differing interpretations of environmental impact, land use suitability, or visual amenity. For instance, the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) has long highlighted the lack of national policies for solar PV on agricultural land, where decisions often hinge on subjective visual assessments or local development plans. This inconsistency not only prolongs the approval process but also increases costs for developers, who must navigate a maze of local preferences and appeals to An Bord Pleanála (now An Coimisiún Pleanála).
Recent updates, such as the European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025, introduce mandatory timelines for decisions—52 weeks for large-scale projects over 150kW and shorter periods for smaller ones—but these focus on procedural speed rather than substantive assessment criteria. Statutory guidelines would provide clear, uniform standards for site selection, such as prioritizing brownfield or low-grade agricultural land, thereby reducing appeals and accelerating deployment to meet EU renewable targets and avoid potential fines.
Solar farms, while low-carbon, can have substantial environmental footprints if not properly managed. Issues like habitat disruption, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and flood risks from altered water runoff are common concerns. In Ireland's lush countryside, large arrays of panels can transform scenic landscapes, leading to opposition over visual blight. The SEAI's community toolkit notes that landscape and visual impacts, along with glint and glare effects on nearby roads or homes, are frequent reasons for refusal, particularly in sensitive areas near Natura 2000 sites.
Guidelines would likely mandate comprehensive assessments, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping and promote best practices like agrivoltaics, where panels coexist with grazing or crop production to minimize land loss. Without these, poorly sited projects risk ecological harm, undermining the very sustainability goals solar energy aims to support.
Local communities frequently bear the brunt of solar farm developments, with worries about property devaluation, noise during construction, and changes to rural character fueling resistance. Dail discussions have highlighted concentrations of farms in areas like Cork due to grid availability, potentially "blighting" landscapes and affecting residents' quality of life. Early engagement is recommended, but without statutory mandates, consultations can be superficial or absent.
Statutory guidelines would enforce transparent community involvement, including benefit funds and mitigation strategies, as seen in wind energy codes of practice. This structured approach could build trust, reduce objections, and ensure equitable distribution of renewable benefits, fostering broader social acceptance essential for scaling up solar installation
Ireland's reliance on agriculture amplifies concerns over converting farmland to solar use. Deputies have raised alarms about losing arable land amid global food security challenges, with solar farms sometimes spanning hundreds of acres. The ISEA advocates for dual-use models, like sheep grazing under panels, but without guidelines, prime farmland is vulnerable to permanent change.
Dedicated guidelines could define land eligibility criteria, encouraging development on marginal soils while protecting high-value agricultural areas. This balance is crucial, as Ireland's solar surge—reaching 1.7GW installed by mid-2025—must not compromise food production.
The regulatory void creates uncertainty for investors, who face unpredictable planning risks and grid connection delays. While the 2025 regulations presume renewable projects serve the "overriding public interest," the lack of detailed assessment frameworks discourages funding. Clear guidelines on timelines, grid integration, and decommissioning would provide the stability needed to attract capital and achieve the 8GW target.
Grid constraints often cluster developments in certain regions, exacerbating local impacts. Guidelines could integrate spatial planning with grid capacity, optimizing locations and incorporating storage solutions.
Ireland's commitment to renewables is commendable, but the absence of statutory guidelines for solar farms risks derailing progress. As the Department scopes potential guidelines under the 2025 Programme for Government, swift action is essential to create a balanced, efficient framework. By addressing inconsistencies, protecting environments and communities, and boosting investment, such guidelines would ensure solar energy contributes effectively to a greener future without unnecessary conflicts.
Article compiled by BPS Planning & Development Consultants
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