Planning permission has been granted for a solar farm near Punchestown Racecourse in Co Kildare, despite a number of local objections.
Dublin-based firm Strategic Power Projects Limited has been given the green light for the 35-year facility on 129 hectares at Swordlestown outside Naas.
The developers say the €100 million solar farm could produce enough power to provide clean energy to 20,500 homes in the area.
Kildare County Council's planning department has received over 100 objections from local residents as well as the equine industry.
Punchestown Racecourse said the plans caused grave concerns and added "the consequences of this development proceeding whereby there is any potential negative impact could prove seriously detrimental to the future of Punchestown Racecourse."
The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association said the immediate area contains five stud farms with 130 horses stocked at any one time.
It added that 230,000 solar panels on prime grazing land "is not compatible with the business of stud farming".
Local historians also said there were several historical monuments in the area, including megalithic standing stones.
The developer said a total of 51 electrical transformer units will be built on the site, which will also include security fencing, landscaping and a CCTV system with pole mounted cameras.
An existing farm entrance will be upgraded along with a new entrance and a 170m internal access road.
