Frequently Asked Questions

Solar PV & Battery Storage

 

How does Solar PV & Battery Storage work?

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the most promising and popular form of solar energy. It works by converting sunlight into electricity. Sunlight is made of photons which are small particles of energy. These photons are absorbed by and pass through the material of a solar cell or solar photovoltaic panel.  The photons agitate the electrons found in the material of the photovoltaic cell.  As they begin to move (or are dislodged), they are routed into a current.  This is electricity – the movement of electrons along a path.  These electrons are then conducted through a wire to the grid.

The purpose of a battery storage system is to store electricity that has been generated from the solar PV farm, so that it can be stored and then exported back to the grid at times of high demand/low generation. As the electricity that is generated from solar PV energy is subject to peaks and troughs, depending on climatic conditions, the system is able to store electricity when generation is high and then supply energy to the grid when less electricity is being generated or when there are additional or higher demands on the grid.

The Irish government are committed to a rapid transition towards a zero-carbon economy; a significant expansion in low carbon electricity generation is a key part of the Governments’ energy strategy within the Climate Action Plan. Consequences of this expansion include changes to the daily electricity demand and supply pattern, an increasingly volatile generation mix and greater issues with geographical concentration of generation. Transmission network constraints occur when network infrastructure limits the ability of the network to transmit all the available power to where it is needed.

There is a growing need for technologies that can respond quickly to balance generation and load in the system. This is to ensure grid stability and security of supply, ultimately avoiding the need for extreme demand-reduction measures, which can include blackouts.

Battery storage offers an efficient and responsive solution to actively manage grid demands by storing surplus electricity for distributing back to the grid in times of peak demand. This system caters for the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources, helping to balance transmission requirements and Lithium-ion battery storage is currently the most suitable technology.

 

Benefits of  Co-located Solar PV Battery Storage

• Most efficient at peak times of day for energy usage.
• Clean, quiet and visually unobtrusive.
• Solar energy farms do not produce any pollution or emissions.
• Local and national CO2 production is reduced.
• Creates clean, renewable energy that will sustain and support the health of future generations.
• Supports national energy independence and security of supply.
• The construction phase will result in job creation and increased expenditure in local shops, restaurants/cafes and hotels; and
• The maintenance of the site will generate further opportunities for employment.

 

The battery storage facility can import or export large amounts of electricity with no time lag and has the following benefits:

• Allows for better and more flexible use of renewable energy sources, supporting the integration of renewables in the drive for decarbonisation.
• Efficient use of existing national infrastructure by making smarter use of existing capacity, to help defer or negate the need for grid reinforcement.
• Supports national energy independence (by storing excess generation until it is needed helping to control consumer prices);
• Installation period is faster than other traditional or renewable energy plants.
• The construction phase will result in job creation and increased expenditure in local shops, restaurants/cafes and hotels; and
• The maintenance of the site will generate further opportunities for employment.

CLOSE

Key components in the proposed development

 

What equipment will be used on site?

The following components are proposed for this solar farm:

 

Solar Panels

The proposed solar farm will be made up, principally, of dark solar panels.  Each panel is approximately 2.4 x 1.3m.  The solar panels will be arranged in a series of rows up to a height of 3.2m at the highest point and tilted southwards at an angle of, typically, 20 – 30 degrees from horizontal.

 

Inverters

Inverters are required to convert the direct current generated by the photovoltaic modules to grid compatible alternating current (AC). There will be approximately 102 inverters on the site.  The inverters are typically 7 m long x 2.5 m wide x 3 m high with a concrete base.  To see photos of inverters, please visit the photos section.

 

Battery storage system

The proposed battery storage system will be made up, principally, 160 battery storage containers, 80  inverter/Power Control System (PCS) containers (comprising of transformer/inverters/monitoring systems), palisade and wooden fencing, parking facilities for limited maintenance vehicles and CCTV monitoring system. The battery storage containers dimensions will typically be 12.2m x 2.44m x rising to 3.1m and the PCS containers typically ranging from 7-10m x 2.2 -3m rising to 3m in height.

 

Grid connection 

The proposed battery storage system will require a Distribution and client-side substation to connect to the distribution network via a transformer.

 

Access track

A 4 m wide permeable access track will be installed to provide access to the compound.

 

Fencing

A 2.4m wire and post deer fence will surround the solar site. A 2.4m palisade security fence and double gates will be erected around the substation for health, safety and insurance purposes.

 

CCTV

A series of CCTV cameras will be installed throughout the site. The CCTV arrangements are based on infrared technology so no lighting will be required at night-time.

CLOSE

Ecology & Biodiversity

 

Our objective is always to mitigate any potential impacts on wildlife and habitats. Solar PV and battery storage system developments encourage biodiversity as they are tranquil sites that do not require heavy machinery or intensive farming for maintenance over the 40-year lifetime of the development.  Existing hedgerows and vegetation are retained for the most part and additional site-specific measures will be included in a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for the site.  These measures combined enable local flora & fauna to flourish in the surrounding area thus increasing biodiversity.

 

CLOSE

Local & National Energy Targets

 

• Ireland is undergoing a major change in the way it meets its energy needs. We are now on a legally binding path to net-Zero emissions no later than 2050, as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Government has also set ambitious plans within the National Development Plan of 80% of all electricity generation to be from renewables by 2030. The latest Climate Action Plan (CAP23) implements carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, which provide a roadmap to reach the targets in place. To meet these commitments, it is necessary to significantly expand renewable infrastructure and generate home grown, clean, low carbon energy to mitigate the impact of human activity on the climate and ensure the future security of the environment and generations to come.
• In order to meet the challenging targets set at the UN climate change conference COP26 and restated at COP27, Ireland has a responsibility to increase the amount of renewable energy generated power it produces to move away from its dependence on fossil fuels. These conferences outlined the need to invest in renewable energy to ensure that the target of global net-zero emissions by 2050, together with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, can be achieved.
• A further commitment by the Irish Government to a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade is also in place through the Climate Act. The bar is continually rising, and immediate action is needed to achieve such ambitious targets. The rising costs of energy due to demand after the COVID 19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated the urgency of Ireland’s need for energy security.  A ‘Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems’ is currently underway and this consultation states that the share of renewable energy within a country’s energy mix has an important bearing on its energy security of supply. To reduce its import dependency, Ireland must therefore increase the level of energy from a diverse number of renewable energy sources.
• CAP23 seeks to specifically accelerate the delivery of solar projects through dialling up to targets of 5GW by 2025 and 8GW by 2030. This will be taken forward alongside the phasing out and ending of the use of coal and peat in electricity generation as well as a new Green Electricity Tariff to incentivise people to use lower cost renewable electricity at times of high wind and solar generation. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is also underway which is an auction-based scheme, which invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity, to meet 2030 targets.
• At a local level, Kildare County Council has published a ‘Climate Change Adaption Strategy 2019 – 2024’ which seeks to build a more climate resilient society, and a ‘Local Just Transition Plan for West Kildare’ to support the transition to a low carbon future in the West Kildare region as well as being a signatory to the Climate Action Charter alongside other local authorities. All of these documents recognise the important role which renewable energy, such as solar projects, will play in mitigating the impact of climate change through meeting the ambitious targets in place.

CLOSE

Public Consultation Process

 

Engaging with our host communities will be vital to the success of this carbon-saving facility. We would like to hear your views on the proposal and how it might benefit not only the wider environment but its immediate surroundings.

We would like to invite you to complete the survey provided on this website. This will help us understand your views on renewable energy and will give you a chance to suggest how the development can best be made to work for the good of the community.

 

A community digital consultation is ongoing via this website where you are able to make comment on the proposals directly to us via the survey provided or via email. These comments must be submitted no later than 24^th  of January 2025.

A community consultation event was held between 3pm – 6.30pm on Wednesday, the 4th of December 2024, at St. Coca’s Hall, Kilcock. Please note that partaking in this process did not affect your statutory rights to make representations to Kildare County Council in respect of the planning application when submitted.

 

CLOSE

Key Project Details

 

Site Location

Ballybrack, Kilcock, County Kildare, Leinster, Ireland.

 

Size of the Site

The red line boundary is 232 ha (573 acres).

 

Temporary Development

Planning permission is being sought for the development with an operational period of 40 years.

 

Site Access

The site will be accessed for construction from the R407.

 

Construction Period, Construction & Operational Traffic

During the construction period, which is estimated to take approximately 6-12 months, delivery vehicles and construction staff will make vehicular trips to the site. Most of the deliveries will be undertaken by HGV. It is envisaged that over the busiest construction period there will be up to a maximum of 25 daily HGV movements. During the 40-year  traffic associated with the operational phase of the development will consist of between 10–15 Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) per year.

 

Decommissioning the site

At the end of the proposed 40-year operational period, the solar PV and battery storage system and its ancillary equipment will be decommissioned, dismantled and removed and the site fully reinstated to the satisfaction of the local planning authority.

 

Subject to best practice at the time, it is anticipated that solar PV decommissioning will involve:

• Disconnecting and removal of wiring, cables and electrical interconnections;
• Dismantling and removal of the solar panels;
• Dismantling and removal of mounting frames, including extraction of in ground support structures;
• Demolition and removal of central inverter stations or mini-inverters;
• Removal of fences and gates;
• Reinstatement of land affected in accordance with best practice; and
• Where possible, all of the proposed Kilcock solar PV Farm components will be removed and reused or recycled. Where this is not possible, any waste generated during decommissioning will be removed and transported by a certified and licensed contractor.

 

Generating Capacity & CO2 Savings

The solar PV and battery storage system would have a capacity of approximately 200MW Solar and 200MW Storage.

The proposed solar farm will generate low-carbon electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 57,200 homes.

CLOSE

Health and Safety

 

Noise

Each battery container and inverter station will contain a small fan that is similar to a domestic bathroom fan in both size & rating, these would be away for sensitive noise receptors and the project will be complaint with the noise limits set by the Kildare County Council.

 

Emissions

No greenhouse gas emissions will be emitted by the development.

 

Landscape

A full landscape appraisal will form part of the planning application. Appropriate boundary planting, together with the retention and protection of existing hedgerows would soften the boundaries of the site to assist the projects integration into the landscape. Trees will be retained as part of the development.

 

BESS

The BESS installation proposes the use of battery technology which is a proven and safe technology. The advantages of this type of battery are that:

• During periods of rapid charging/discharging the cells operate at low temperatures;
• They have been subject to extensive industry standard testing before installation to ensure the cells do not pose a fire risk or overheat (called thermal runaway);
• Cells are individually monitored during operation to detect the slightest temperature fluctuations to prevent thermal runaway in the first instance and the systems will safely shutdown and alarm if there are deviations;
• Battery cabinets have a 1-hour fire rating with fire detection and suppression systems installed;
• Analysis of gases produced during forced overheating identified they are not harmful to human health;
• The operators will monitor the installation carefully on an ongoing basis.

 

Is there an increased risk of flooding around solar farm sites?

There is no significant increase in surface water runoff and therefore no significant increase in the risk of flooding as little impermeable hard surfacing is required. The majority of the solar farm remains open grassland as the features are not altered in any way. The solar farm infrastructure does not affect runoff volumes, with the use of driplines along the face of panels evenly dispersing surface water across the underlying grounds. In addition, the panels are raised on a pre-fabricated framework on screw-driven legs, so only approximately 5% of the ground surface is utilised.

 

 

CLOSE