Discussion of agricultural news and rural affairs from Ireland's leading farming and agri-business newspaper, the Irish Farmers' Journal. Every Wednesday.
Stephen Robb talks to Conall Bolger, CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association about the rise of the industry, its plans for growth and the age-old question – food versus fuel.
The past 12 months have been a big year for two renewable energy technologies in particular: solar PV and anaerobic digestion (AD). However, when we talk about these technologies, there are often two very different scales i.e. large-scale and small-scale. While both scales use the same technologies, the business models and opportunities for farmers differ significantly. This was the topic of conversation of some of the talks at day one of the National Ploughing Championships on the Irish Farmers Journal stand. Renewables Editor Stephen Robb was joined by James Redmond, Head of Development for Ireland at BayWa r.e, Gerard Kennedy, Commercial Sales Manager with Solarco, Michael Sweeney, Operations Director of Nephin Renewable Gas and Klaas Vanhee, Commercial Director with Biolectric to discuss the topic.
