British renewable energy developer Elgin Energy is looking to build a 100-acre solar PV farm in Kilkenny, Ireland. The company has applied for the rights to develop the farm, with the application being the latest in a number of solar developments across the country following the continued cost reduction of solar PV.

The proposed PV farm would be 25 MW and, according to the company, will “assist in the secure supply of energy for local businesses and the region as a destination for investment by large energy users through the supply of green energy”.

If permission is granted, the Kilkenny array will be able to power 6,500 homes in the region, and has the potential to provide enough power meet 25% of the yearly power requirements for a factory near Glanbia.

The decision over the farm will be made in early December, and if approved, will guarantee the plant will run for 30 years.

Elgin Energy’s Anne Arnold told pv magazine that the project development includes a proposal to construct a solar farm consisting of solar PV panels laid out in arrays across an area of approximately 39.6 hectares in total, at a rural site north-west of the town of Ballyragget Co. Kilkenny.

“These arrays will be connected into a series of 20 inverter stations that will be located within the Planning Application Boundary, before being connected to the national electrical grid via a proposed 38 kV onsite substation,” Arnold said. “project will help the Kilkenny region meet its renewable energy targets ,making the region attractive to inward investment. Elgin Energy look forward to working with Kilkenny County Council in delivering the project in the coming years.”

In the past two years, Elgin Energy have progressed a total of 22 projects through the Irish planning system. The Ballyragget solar farm will be Elgin Energy’s fourth project in the county, with previous applications at Goresbridge, Ballyhale and Talbots Inch receiving permission in recent months.