We are proud to have been awarded Solar Farm Project of the Year at the Irish Renewable Energy Awards 2025 for the Dunmurry Solar Farm, a project that transformed a decommissioned golf course in Kildare into a high performing renewable energy site.
The project maximised energy output by installing bifacial panels, which generate power from both sides and delivered over 5% more energy compared to traditional panels. String inverters were introduced to improve reliability and reduce single points of failure, while more than 80 design optimisation simulations ensured the most effective layout and DC/AC ratio. Together, these measures allowed more power to be produced per square metre of land, improving return on investment and system availability.
Equally important was the ecological approach. Repurposing the golf course meant existing features such as ponds, hedgerows, and rough grassland could be retained and enhanced. Meadow planting, biodiversity management, and protection of habitats ensured the site became nature positive. Wildlife including bats, badgers, pine martens, butterflies, and pollinators were all accommodated in the design, turning a low value landscape into one rich with flora and fauna.
The project also overcame significant planning challenges. A previous proposal on nearby elevated land had been refused, but by relocating to the golf course site, a dormant, altered landscape, BNRG addressed concerns around visual impact and land use. An Bord Pleanála ultimately overturned the council’s refusal, allowing the project to proceed.
Community benefit was central to the scheme. Through its RESS 2 contract, the solar farm will generate over €35,000 annually for local initiatives, contributing more than half a million euro over its lifetime. In addition, €144,000 was provided to Kildare County Council for public infrastructure. Once operational, the unmanned site will also reduce local traffic compared to the former golf club.
Reflecting on the project, Daniel Moloney, Programme Manager at BNRG, said:
“Repurposing a former golf course brought challenges like relocating trees and reshaping the land, but it also gave us unique opportunities to enhance biodiversity and turn those features into an asset.”
Daniel added:
“Winning this award just topped off all of the hard, unseen work that’s required before construction even begins.”
Winning this award highlights BNRG’s ability to combine technical innovation, biodiversity restoration, and community impact. The Dunmurry Solar Farm is a model for how renewable energy can regenerate land, deliver reliable power, and create lasting value for people and nature.
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