RENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar farms (sometimes known as solar parks or solar fields) are the large-scale application of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate green, clean electricity in large scale.

Solar farms can cover anything between 1 acre and 100 acres, and are usually developed in rural areas.

Solar farms go through a rigorous planning procedure before they are approved. This takes into account the suitability of the specific site, any potential impact on the area and relevant renewable energy targets.

Facts about solar farms:

• Solar farms are the most nature-friendly way of generating power for the grid and support endangered wildlife such as bees.
• Solar makes virtually no noise or waste and has no moving parts.
• There are no moving parts, and maintenance is minimal.
• Many solar farms are grazed by sheep or combined with other farming.
• They generate electricity locally and feed into the local electricity grid using a free source of energy (the sun) to generate electricity on bright cloudy days as well as in direct sunlight.
• For every 5MW installed, a solar farm will power 1,515 homes for a year (based on an average annual consumption of 3,300 kWh of electricity for a house) and save 2,150 tonnes of CO2. Approximately 25 acres of land is required for every 5 megawatts (MW) of installation.
• They represent time-limited, reversible land use and provide an increased, diversified and stable source of income for landowners .
• They may have dual purpose usage with sheep or other animals grazing between rows, and can help to support biodiversity by allowing small animals access to otherwise fenced-off land, with bird and insect fodder plants and wildflowers sown around the modules.
• There is no by-product or waste generated, except during manufacturing or dismantling.

Credit: Lightsource

Photovoltaic (PV) cells made of silicon are constructed into panels, each gathering a small amount of sunlight energy. The panels are installed on short towers over an area as big as 100 acres. Some solar farms fix their PV panels into a static position; other farms use solar tracking systems that move the panels to follow the sun. Multiple panels are required to generate significant electricity, which is why solar panel farm arrays are so large. Solar developers either buy the land for their panels, or lease it from businesses, government agencies or private individuals.