{"id":254278,"date":"2015-11-30T17:32:15","date_gmt":"2015-11-30T17:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandbox.lightsourcebp.com\/news\/lightsource-bps-first-ireland-solar-farm-site-identified\/"},"modified":"2023-07-25T04:19:39","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T04:19:39","slug":"lightsource-bps-first-ireland-solar-farm-site-identified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandbox.lightsourcebp.com\/ie\/news\/lightsource-bps-first-ireland-solar-farm-site-identified\/","title":{"rendered":"Lightsource bp’s First Ireland Solar Farm Site Identified"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lightsource bp's First Ireland Solar Farm Site Identified<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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The first potential site for Lightsource bp’s solar farm in Ireland has been identified<\/span><\/h2>\n

Europe\u2019s leading solar energy company, Lightsource Renewable Energy, has identified a potential site for its first solar farm in the Republic of Ireland. The company is hosting a community information evening on 8th December, at Thurles Rugby Club, to unveil the plans for a 4.7 Megawatt peak (MWp) site at The Furze, in the Loughtagalla\/Moyne Road area east of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.<\/p>\n

The proposed site consists of a cluster of small fields, totalling 27 acres, which are currently used as grassland for silage and grazing pasture. Plans are still at an early stage and Lightsource is keen to utilise feedback from local residents to help shape the final proposals before they are submitted to the council for consideration.<\/p>\n

If approved, the solar farm would provide enough renewable energy to power 1,200 homes, while saving 2,200 tonnes of carbon emissions each year \u2014 equivalent to taking more than 500 large family cars off the road.<\/p>\n

Lightsource invests considerable resources in selecting the most appropriate sites for potential solar farms. The solar panels at The Furze would reach a maximum height of 2.5 metres, so would be well- screened from the wider landscape by the site\u2019s boundary hedgerows. All vegetation on the site will be retained and managed as part of the project and Lightsource will plant new trees or hedgerows to fill gaps wherever needed to reduce potential views into the solar farm.<\/p>\n

As well as providing a local source of clean energy, the solar farm will also be designed to support existing agricultural activities on site. The site will be designed to accommodate the grazing of small animals, such as sheep or chickens, alongside the generation of \u201chome-grown\u201d electricity. The rows of solar panels will be widely spaced and raised so that grass can establish throughout the site, including the area underneath the panels.<\/p>\n

Solar farms can also be a haven for local wildlife and a bespoke biodiversity management plan will be developed for the Tipperary site on the results of ecology surveys, which will ensure that the most appropriate enhancements are incorporated into the site. The seeding of wildflowers across the site could help to attract bees, butterflies, birds and other invertebrates, while any new planting would strengthen wildlife habitats and foraging grounds.<\/p>\n

Conor McGuigan, Business Development Director at Lightsource, said: \u201cThis is still early days for our first site in the Republic of Ireland and the community information evening will give residents a chance to ensure that these plans are best suited to the local landscape. Solar farms not only produce clean electricity, they also present an opportunity to support local businesses, skills and wildlife habitats by responsibly managing the land. Although the majority of local people will not see the solar farm once it has been installed, we hope that they will be able to clearly recognise the positive community benefits that they bring \u2014 with biodiversity enhancements, continuing agricultural use and a locally-produced source of clean, safe energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

On December the 8th Lightsource will be holding a community information evening at Thurles Rugby Club.\u00a0 The information day will be an opportunity for the community to see how solar farms are developed and also to receive local feedback that can be utilised in the final plan.<\/p>\n

Lightsource will be looking to utilise local contractors and service providers wherever possible, including:-
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Security personnel
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Civil roadways experts
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Storage and logistics businesses
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fencing experts
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Accommodation & food and beverage providers
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Landscapers specialising in local\/native species
\nResidents wishing to view the initial proposal in more detail or make suggestions to the Lightsource Planning team can visit the Planning Portal at: www.lightsource-re.ie\u00a0 click \u2018In-House Planning\u2019 and type the site name \u201cFurze\u201d into the search box. An online feedback form is also available on the page.<\/p>\n

Lightsource believes that solar can deploy 1.5 Gigawatts of generating capacity by 2020 (which is enough sustainable and clean electricity to power over 495,000 local households), meeting over 5% of Ireland\u2019s electricity demand.<\/p>\n

By 2030, 27% of Ireland\u2019s energy will need to come from renewable sources, according to the Government. In its report published in February, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said Ireland\u2019s 2013 renewable energy production contributed 7.8% of the country\u2019s final energy demand, putting Ireland almost halfway towards the target set of 16% under the European Union\u2019s Renewable Energy Directive by 2020.<\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Related news<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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26 Jan, 2026<\/p>\n \n

Farming and energy – working side by side<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Sheep grazing on solar farms combines agriculture with solar electricity generation, enabling livestock to graze and crops to grow alongside and beneath solar panels.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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29 May, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp publishes 2024 Sustainability Report\u00a0\u00a0<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp, a global trusted partner in delivering onshore renewable energy solutions, is pleased to publish its 2024 Sustainability Report.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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16 Apr, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Opportunities for combining farming and solar in Ireland<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

The Lightsource bp team travelled to Dublin to meet with a broad range of representatives from the Irish government for a session to discuss combining solar and farming.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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