With energy costs continuing to impact farm profitability, more farmers are turning to on-farm renewable energy to reduce overheads and gain long-term security.
Laurlstown Farm is an excellent example of how Solar PV can deliver strong financial and operational benefits.
Laurlstown Farm Profile
Donal Callery manages a progressive dairy enterprise, milking 450 cows, with significant energy demand coming from milking, cooling, water heating, and general farm operations throughout the year.
To tackle rising electricity costs, Donal installed a 63 kWp solar PV system, paired with 50 kWh of battery storage, designed and installed through the FarmGen programme in partnership with PV Generation Ltd.
Donal’s Solar PV System Installation Includes:
- 63 kWp rooftop solar PV system
- 50 kWh Huawei Battery Storage System
- Smart energy management to maximise self-consumption
The system was designed and delivered by PV Generation, FarmGen’s solar delivery partner, ensuring the project met the highest technical and safety standards while being tailored specifically to the farm’s energy profile.
The battery plays a key role, storing excess daytime generation and allowing Donal to use solar energy during morning and evening milking periods when demand peaks.
Why FarmGen For On-Farm Renewable Energy?
“I’ve been working with Tirlán and with Damien Sutton for the last 30 years, so when I decided to look into Solar for the farm, FarmGen was my first call. For me, the big thing was dealing with people who understand farming. FarmGen didn’t just arrive to sell panels, they looked at how the farm runs day to day and built the system around that.
From the first visit, the FarmGen team reviewed our electricity usage around milking, cooling and washing, and explained how adding batteries would let us use our own solar power during peak times. It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, it was designed for our farm.
What Is Involved In Adding Solar PV To A Farm?
The whole process was straightforward. FarmGen and PV Gen handled the design, grant paperwork, installation and ESB connections, and the work was completed without any disruption to the farm. Everything was explained in plain language, and there were no surprises along the way.
What convinced me most was that they’re working with farmers all over the country, so they know what works and what doesn’t. Now that the system is up and running and we’re seeing savings of around €16,000 a year, it’s clear it was the right decision. Energy costs are more predictable now, and the system is paying for itself.
What Are Benefits To Installing Solar PV For Your Farm?
Peace Of Mind
“One of the key considerations for me was peace of mind and aftersales. You want to know that the company behind your system will still be there in years to come if you ever need back up support or want to expand your system. FarmGen, working alongside PV Generation as an established Irish solar company, builds long-term relationships with farmers, and that gave me confidence to move ahead”
What would you say to other farmers thinking about Solar?
“If anyone asked me about solar, I’d highly recommend FarmGen, they make the process simple and deliver real results for working farms. The system just works in the background while we get on with farming.”
Express Your Interest Today
If you’re interested in seeing how Solar PV can benefit your farm, you can contact FarmGen on 0818 321 321,talk to your local Tirlán Representative or click HERE.
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