It’s no secret that all across the world people are shifting the way they think about how they consume energy; largely due to the increased awareness we have about how our actions directly affect our planet.

With this newfound awareness of the repercussions of burning fossil fuels, the focus has switched to the renewable energy industry, particularly solar power.

You may have noticed solar panels being installed on your neighbours’ roof or even your local supermarket – but to generate large enough quantities of electricity to power more than one building you need a bit more space…

That’s where solar farms come in.

So, what exactly is a Solar Farm?

In short, solar farms are areas of land that are used to install large quantities of ground mounted solar panels that can provide power for anything from a few houses to powering large scale businesses or even contributing power to the local area.

There are approximately 500 solar farms currently in the United Kingdom, with the current largest being Shotwick solar park in Wales that has the capability to power approximately 20,000 homes.

Benefits of Solar Farms

Eco-friendly energy generation on a large scale:

Unlike coal or gas power plants, solar farms have the capability to produce large amounts of renewable energy without emitting any pollutants once installed; therefore, they are a much greener solution to large scale energy production compared to the current use of fossil fuels.

A renewable source of energy:

Simply put – as long as the sun is still shining solar panels have the capability of producing energy, meaning it is a much more long-term renewable source of energy compared to the methods typically used such as coal and gas that deplete over time.

Energy independence:

With the advancements of technology, solar power has become a reliable source of energy for countries, meaning investment in energy sources such as solar farms reduce a country’s reliance on the imports of alternative energy sources such as fossil fuels – this in turn can lead to more stable energy prices due to less fluctuations in foreign energy costs.

Non-arable land usage:

In most cases solar farms are built on land that cannot be used for agricultural purposes and may otherwise not serve much purpose. It is also possible to install solar farms on land that is used for animal grazing or pollinator habitats to provide dual function of the land.

Scalability:

Solar farms can be easily expanded if the needs of the area increase as long as there is available space for more solar panels. Solar farms are a great source of power for remote areas that may struggle to access power from the grid.

Solar farms provide clean, sustainable energy that is essential in our drive towards a greener future for both our homes and our businesses. As technology continues to evolve and the costs associated with solar energy continue to fall, we can anticipate even more of a shift toward this renewable energy source. Overall, investing in solar farms is a great solution for any business looking to go greener whilst protecting their bottom line and the planet.