Frequently Asked Questions

Clear, honest answers to the most common questions about the proposed solar development in Abbeyknockmoy & Monivea.

What is the proposed development?

The development is a large-scale industrial solar power plant planned for prime agricultural land in Abbeyknockmoy & Monivea, covering almost 1000 acres. This project threatens local food production, biodiversity and our rural heritage.

Has the community been consulted?

Many residents feel they've been excluded from decision-making processes. We demand transparent, inclusive consultations that respect local voices.

I'm not a farmer — will this development affect me?

Yes, and here's why: Large-scale solar power plants impact everyone in the area, not just the landowners leasing their fields. Potential effects include changes to local biodiversity, drainage patterns, and groundwater; increased heavy traffic during construction; and long-term visual and environmental changes. Even if you're not directly adjacent, these projects can affect property values, local infrastructure, and the character of the countryside you use and enjoy.

Will the solar power plant affect house prices?

Research from multiple independent, peer-reviewed studies consistently shows that residential property values near large utility-scale solar farms often stagnate or decline. The key factors driving this include visual intrusion, the industrialisation of rural landscapes, increased construction traffic during development, and concerns about environmental and land-use risks. These effects are most pronounced within approximately 0.8 to 1.6 kilometres (0.5 to 1 mile) of the site but can influence the broader area’s desirability and market value.

Notable studies support these conclusions:

• Virginia Tech’s 2025 analysis found homes within 5 kilometres (3 miles) of solar farms experienced an average value decrease of 4.8%. This comprehensive study included 8.8 million property sales across thousands of solar sites. (https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/06/solar-property-value.html)
• A 2023 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) report identified a 1.5% average price reduction for properties within 0.8 kilometres (0.5 miles) of utility-scale solar farms, based on 1.8 million home transactions. (https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/shedding-light-large-scale-solar)
• Research by Gaur and Lang (MIT, 2023) documented property value declines ranging from 1.5% to 3.6% within approximately 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) of solar projects, analysing over 71,000 sales near solar developments. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652622052726)
• A Dutch study by Dröes and Koster (2021) found a 2.6% decrease in house prices within 1 kilometre of solar farms, based on national housing market data. (https://www.rics.org/uk/en/journals/property-journal/affirming-the-value-of-solar-property.html)
• The 2023 Solar Energy UK report by Maddison et al. observed a 5.4% reduction in property values within 750 metres (0.47 miles) south of large solar farms. (https://solarenergyuk.org/resource/the-value-of-solar-property-report/)

For landowners, homebuyers, and policymakers, it is crucial to consider this robust evidence showing that utility-scale solar developments can negatively impact nearby residential property values. The industrialisation of rural landscapes and associated project effects affect not only homes directly adjacent to solar sites but often the wider community and market perception.

What impact will construction have on local residents and roads?

Construction will cause significant disruption in the local area, lasting several months. Temporary road closures and detours will affect daily travel, and existing utilities such as water and electricity may be interrupted or damaged. Local authorities have limited budgets, increasing the risk that roads may be poorly reinstated or remain in worse condition after works.

Heavy vehicles will increase traffic volumes, accelerating road wear and structural damage beyond the site boundaries, raising safety risks for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Due to shallow rock layers, drilling will likely be required to secure solar panel supports, causing considerable noise disturbance. Construction activity can also disturb local livestock, especially during sensitive periods like lambing and calving.

Why oppose solar power plants? Aren't renewables good?

Renewable energy is vital — but not at the cost of our best farmland and ecosystems. Industrial-scale solar power plants on productive land undermine food security and damage habitats. We support smart, community-based renewables that respect local needs.

Isn’t this solar power plant helping fight climate change?

Renewable energy is essential in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. However, developing large-scale solar power plants on prime agricultural land sacrifices food security, biodiversity, and the character of rural communities. Ireland has many alternative options—such as rooftop solar, brownfield sites, and smaller community-owned projects—that can provide clean energy without damaging vital farmland and ecosystems. We support renewable energy, but it must be done responsibly, respecting local needs and long-term sustainability.

How will this affect local farmers and food supply?

Removing nearly 1000 acres from food production threatens livelihoods and reduces local food availability. This land supports diverse crops and livestock essential to our economy and heritage.

What alternatives do you propose?

We advocate for renewable solutions that prioritize community control, use less productive land and protect biodiversity. Rooftop solar, brownfield sites and smaller distributed generation can meet energy needs without sacrificing prime farmland.

Will the solar power plant create noise?

While solar panels themselves are silent, industrial solar power plants include inverters, transformers, and cooling fans that generate a low hum. During construction, expect heavy machinery noise, increased traffic, and general disruption. Even after completion, the constant background noise from equipment can carry in quiet rural areas, especially at night.

Can sheep realistically graze under or near the solar panels?

In large-scale industrial solar power plants, grazing is severely limited. The panels cast shade that reduces grass growth and quality, while soil compaction and maintenance activities further degrade pasture. Stocking rates under panels drop dramatically compared to normal pasture—often to less than one sheep per two acres, if grazing is allowed at all. Additionally, fencing and restricted access prevent normal animal movement. Industrial solar power plants are not a substitute for productive farmland.

Are these projects permanent? Can the land be restored afterward?

Industrial solar power plants often involve heavy infrastructure with uncertain restoration outcomes. Soil compaction, chemical use and habitat loss can cause long-term damage, making true restoration difficult.

What happens to the land after the solar power plant’s lease ends?

Industrial solar power plants are generally developed under long-term leases lasting around 35 years; these agreements typically cover the entire lifecycle of the project, including construction, operation, decommissioning, and land restoration. Although developers often commit to restoring the land to its original condition at the end of the lease, there is currently little to no long-term evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of such restoration efforts.

The installation and operation of solar farms can cause significant impacts, including soil compaction from heavy machinery, the presence of substantial infrastructure, and the potential use of chemicals, all of which may harm soil quality and local ecosystems. The processes involved in restoring land after solar farm operations cease are complex, expensive, and inherently uncertain, particularly where robust regulatory oversight and legally binding guarantees are lacking.

In addition, there is growing uncertainty within the solar energy sector. Recent developments, such as the potential cancellation of subsidies in major markets like the United States, underline the risk that financial and policy support for solar projects may diminish. If similar trends occur in Europe, projects such as the Bellville solar farm could face premature abandonment, increasing the risk that sites are left unused or inadequately remediated.

Given the significant risks outlined, the future of the land after the solar power plant’s lease ends is a serious concern that demands immediate and ongoing scrutiny. Without strong, enforceable restoration guarantees and strict oversight, there is a real danger the land will remain degraded and unusable for farming or wildlife. This issue cannot be overlooked by anyone with a stake in the land’s long-term health and value.

How tall will the solar panels and structures be? Will they affect the local scenery?

Solar panels and supporting infrastructure typically stand between 1.5 to 3 meters high but can include taller mounting racks, transformers, and security fencing that further disrupt sightlines. When spread over hundreds of acres, these installations create an industrial landscape that contrasts sharply with traditional rural views, altering the character and enjoyment of the countryside for residents and visitors alike. The visual impact can be long-lasting and difficult to mitigate.

Will the solar power plant affect local heritage or monuments?

The proposed development covers areas rich in cultural heritage and may be near protected monuments. Large-scale industrial installations can disturb archaeological sites, damage landscapes of historical significance, and diminish the cultural character of the area. We insist on thorough heritage impact assessments and full protection of all monuments and historical landmarks during planning and development.

Will the solar power plant be fenced off? What about security?

Yes. Industrial solar power plants are typically surrounded by high-security fencing and CCTV, creating an industrial zone where there was once open countryside. This not only changes the character of the area but can also restrict wildlife movement and fragment habitats. Security lighting and surveillance can further disturb nocturnal species and alter the rural environment.

Will the solar power plant have nighttime lighting?

Yes. For security reasons, solar power plants are often equipped with floodlights and motion-activated lighting. This artificial lighting can disrupt local wildlife, especially nocturnal species, and alter the natural night environment. It can also affect residents by increasing light pollution and disturbing sleep patterns.

Are solar power plants dangerous?

Solar power plants may seem harmless, but they operate with high-voltage systems that can kill instantly if mishandled. Fires involving solar panels are particularly hazardous: burning panels release toxic fumes and contaminated runoff that can pollute soil and water. Standard firefighting methods do not work effectively, and emergency services need specialist training and equipment to respond safely. Without this, lives and the environment are at risk.

Can a solar power plant fire be extinguished?

Not easily. Solar arrays continue generating electricity even when disconnected, meaning parts of the system remain live and dangerous. Firefighters face electrocution hazards and toxic smoke, often forcing them to let fires burn under controlled conditions. Suppression requires pre-planned strategies, isolation procedures and specialist gear, none of which are guaranteed at every rural site. The scale and complexity of solar fires can make them logistically challenging and prolonged.

What are the risks associated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)?

BESS sites store enormous amounts of energy in lithium-ion batteries, including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) types which are proposed for Bellville. While LiFePO4 batteries are sometimes described as safer or “non-combustible,” this is misleading and false as they can and do catch fire under certain conditions such as damage, overheating or defects. When a battery thermal event occurs, it can lead to "thermal runaway" — a self-sustaining chain reaction causing violent fires, explosions, and the release of highly toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide.

These fires:

• Burn at extreme temperatures, often between 700°C and 1,000°C, and are nearly impossible to extinguish with standard firefighting methods
• Emit dense toxic smoke and contaminated water runoff, posing serious threats to people, livestock, and the environment
• Can reignite unpredictably days after initial suppression attempts
• Frequently result in road closures, resident evacuations, and long-term site contamination requiring extensive remediation

These risks are well documented internationally and must not be underestimated when siting BESS near homes or agricultural land.

How are BESS fires different from other industrial fires?

BESS fires are significantly more dangerous than typical industrial incidents due to their nature and scale: - they generate extreme heat and produce thick, poisonous smoke laden with hazardous gases - explosions can occur internally within battery cells, propagating rapidly from one cell to another (thermal runaway) - common firefighting agents like water and foam have limited effectiveness and efforts often shift to containment rather than extinguishing - fire crews typically must allow controlled burns while maintaining evacuation zones for days or longer for public safety - extreme contamination of air, soil and water is frequent, with cleanup and ecosystem recovery processes lasting many months

These complexities demand specialised emergency plans and resources that may not be fully in place at every rural BESS site.

Do Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) create noise?

Yes. BESS facilities run cooling fans, inverters, and transformers around the clock, generating a continuous low-frequency hum. In quiet rural areas, this noise travels and becomes especially intrusive at night, disturbing residents who live nearby.

Do Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) emit electromagnetic fields (EMF)?

Yes. High-voltage components in BESS facilities generate electromagnetic fields similar to those near power substations. Levels drop with distance, but because energy is concentrated in one location, exposure close to the perimeter can be significant. While industry claims these levels are "safe," long-term health effects remain uncertain and public concern is justified.

What about evacuation zones for BESS fires?

Veterinary expert Hugh Dillon, a partner at Troytown Equine Hospital, has highlighted the serious safety concerns associated with large BESS fires. He cites a 2025 incident at a 300MW lithium-ion battery storage fire in California where authorities ordered evacuation of an area covering 20 square kilometres. This example underscores the immense hazard posed by BESS fires due to toxic smoke, risk of explosion and extensive firefighting challenges that can endanger humans and livestock alike. Currently, Ireland has no dedicated safety regulator specifically overseeing lithium-ion battery installations, including those using Lithium Iron Phosphate technology, which raises concerns about emergency preparedness and the feasibility of such extensive evacuations.

For context, a 20 square kilometre area is shown via the red circle in the image below. It would stretch from Crumlin to Ryehill and from Abbeyknockmoy to Caherlissakill.

Reference: The Irish Field, “Bloodstock industry warned of threat from solar battery projects” (March 2025) - https://www.theirishfield.ie/bloodstock/news/bloodstock-industry-warned-of-threat-from-solar-battery-projects-860273

How can I get involved or support the campaign?

Get involved by signing petitions, attending local meetings, and spreading the word in your community. Every action helps protect our farmland and heritage.