Irish Water plans to cut down the reliance o Tuam’s water supply on the electric grid by installing a significant solar farm at the reservoir.
Planning permission has been granted for the installation of roughly 2,100m² of solar panels at Knockacarrigeen Reservoir.
The solar panels are to be installed atop two closed reservoir tanks already in place.
A planning report for the project stated, “Knockacarrigeen reservoir provides water storage facilities for Tuam. The operation of the facility consumes electricity which is currently imported from the electricity grid.”
“The proposed development will consist of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels being installed over two closed reservoir tanks to offset the power imported from the electricity grid”.
“Ancillary works required to complete this project installing cables to connect the solar PV panels to the electrical infrastructure within the site and associated electrical equipment.”
Planning permission for the development was granted by the county council with the condition that if there is any issue with glare affecting road users, mitigating measures must be taken.
