Ronan Power
CEO, Solar Ireland
Ireland’s solar surge is no longer just about panels on rooftops. The next phase of Ireland’s clean energy transition won’t be won with megawatts alone; it will be won with flexibility.
Despite solar installation progress across homes, schools, farms and businesses, infrastructure demands grow as the generation grows. Without decisive investment in flexibility — smart grid technologies, energy storage and system stability — we risk building capacity we can’t use.
Stability is not optional
Recent international events have taught us that high renewables alone don’t ensure grid security. The Iberian Peninsula blackout earlier this year showed the need for flexible assets and stabilising technologies.
Ireland, too, is a ‘stability island.’ Our power system has long had to manage the challenges of importing energy over interconnectors while absorbing high levels of renewables. We’ve also led the way in pioneering operational safeguards like RoCoF recalibration, synchronous compensation and a world-leading system services market. Such solutions will make or break our future energy security.
Let’s not waste a single ray
Negative pricing and curtailment are becoming more common and are clear signs the grid isn’t keeping up. Storage and the rollout of hybrid solar-battery connections can help capture excess energy and fast-track capacity without overloading the grid. Yet, none of this works without a smart grid capable of balancing dynamic loads, integrating behind-the-meter assets and adapting in real time.
Recycling, reuse and materials
recovery need to be built into
today’s solar planning.
Momentum in policy
The newly published Private Wires Policy is a long-awaited signal that Ireland is ready to enable more decentralised, direct connections between solar generation and large energy users. That opens the door to hundreds of megawatts of clean energy delivered faster, more affordably and with less reliance on central infrastructure. The framework isn’t final, but the direction is right.
The next evolution: circular solar
As we scale solar to meet Ireland’s targets and beyond, we must also think about the full lifecycle of this infrastructure. Recycling, reuse and materials recovery need to be built into today’s solar planning — not treated as tomorrow’s problem. This evolution is already underway, and Ireland has a chance to lead by embedding circularity into its solar ecosystem from the outset.
Building solar-ready infrastructure
At Solar Ireland, we’re not just talking about the future, we’re helping to shape it. Through advocacy, collaboration and industry leadership, we’re working to build the conditions where solar can thrive. The Solar Ireland 2025 conference this October will bring together innovators, policymakers and energy leaders to tackle the practicalities of planning, deploying and optimising our solar system of tomorrow.
