Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Dairy Farms: A Comparative Analysis

Integrating renewable energy into agricultural systems has emerged as a critical strategy for reducing the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, limited research has examined how farm-specific operational patterns influence the techno-economic performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment of grid-connected solar PV systems for two types of dairy farm operations: spring-calving and winter-calving. Using detailed farm-specific energy consumption profiles and solar irradiance data, system performance was evaluated under Ireland’s policy framework, including the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme grant and the Clean-Export tariff. The spring-calving operation achieved superior economic performance (payback period: 3.25 years; levelised cost of electricity: EUR 0.091/kWh) compared to the winter-calving operation (3.83 years; EUR 0.099/kWh). This superior performance is due to better seasonal alignment between solar generation and electricity demand. Sensitivity analysis reveals solar irradiance, grid electricity cost, and grant funding as main economic viability influencing factors. Environmental analysis demonstrates CO2 emission reductions of 77% for spring-calving and 61% for winter-calving operations. The findings demonstrate that solar PV systems are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial for dairy farms. These results provide actionable insights for farmers and policymakers seeking to promote clean energy adoption and emission reduction in agriculture.