How Do Solar Farms Work – All About Massive Energy Saving

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According to Open Access Government Trusted Source Is Solar the cheapest form of electricity for British Farmers? Dairy units, chicken sheds, refrigeration stores, farm diversification units and grain stores all require a significant amount of electricity to operate. This can be a major overhead for any farm business and will affect its profitability. www.mypoweruk.com , people use more than 220 tonnes of coal, 1000 oil barrels and 93,000m3 of natural gas each second. And while the world’s resources may be able to sustain such consumption now, these sources of energy are non-renewable. Moreover, these sources of energy cause dangerous and irreversible damage to our ecosystem through the emission of greenhouse gases. Solar power is a a great option if you are tired of high energy bills and would like a clean alternative. Investing in a solar farm can help you achieve lower energy costs. But how do solar farms work? Most people think installing solar power in their homes is a complex project that they cannot execute. Although this could not be further from the truth. With this article, you will understand how solar farms work, and how you can invest in one to get clean renewable energy.

How to get solar power

How Do Solar Farms Work - All About Massive Energy SavingYou may have seen several solar panels in your neighborhood and wondered how they generate solar power. As complex as these solar panels look, they are just simple components that take advantage of the ample sun that we receive on earth. How exactly do they work? First, the individual solar panels that are often grouped together on rooftops use photovoltaic cells to absorb sunlight. The sunlight activates the solar cells and sets the loose electrons in motion, which generates an electric current. At this point, the solar panels are converting sunlight to direct current (DC) electricity. But this is not the type of electricity that powers your home. You will need an inverter to transform this electricity from direct current to alternating current. Once the electricity in your home is converted to AC current, you can now distribute it to all parts of your home. Any additional electricity generated by your solar panels can easily be measured using a net meter and sent back to the grid. To get the most out of the ample solar that your area receives, it is prudent to invest in the best solar panels in the market. If you are new to solar power then it is recommended that you get a solar panel system kit that comes with everything you will need. According to most reviews, Renogy Monocrystalline Solar Panel System Kit stands out as a comprehensive system kit that is durable and does not compromise on performance.

What are solar panels

How Do Solar Farms Work - All About Massive Energy SavingWhile the idea of harnessing electricity from the sun has been around for ages, solar panels have made it quite easy for this to happen. Simply defined, solar panels comprise of little photovoltaic cells that are linked together to convert sunlight to electricity. Each of the solar cell is made of two opposite polar sides i.e. negative and positive charges. This is made possible by using materials such as silicon to get a positive charge and phosphorous for the negative charge. Photons of light then collide with these materials and electrons are released. The electrons are transferred to wires through metal plates and can then be used like other sources of electricity. Solar panels vary depending on the type and your needs. However, if you want a portable solar panel that you can rely on at home then you may have to review the best 100 watt solar panels. And while there are several of them in the market, top reviews show that the Renogy Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable Solar Panel stands out. Thanks to its great performance, portability and durability.

How solar farms work

Solar farms are a collection of solar panels in a large tract of land. There is no specific number of panels required to make a solar farm as long as there are several of them. Unlike the solar panels placed on rooftops, solar farms are installed away from the shade and can be moved to get maximum sunlight. It is also worth noting that the electricity acquired from solar farms are fed directly to the grid instead of being saved.

How Do Solar Farms Work - All About Massive Energy SavingTypes of solar farms

While there are thousands, if not tens of thousands of solar farms in the US, they can be grouped into two categories. These include;

 

  • Utility-scale solar farms– These types of solar farms often consists of thousands of solar panels spread in a wide land area. The panels absorb sunlight rays and convert them to electric current, which is sent to the power grid. Utility-scale farms can sell the electricity they get to businesses or send the, to the electric grid and get tax equity.
  • Community solar farms– These are smaller scale solar farms that offer electricity to a small community or local businesses. How do they work? Local residents can choose to invest in a community solar farm. The solar panels are then placed in a wide area around the neighborhood to generate electricity. Any electricity generated from the solar panel is fed into the grid and the investors get an adjustment on their energy bill.

What can you use solar farms for

Solar farms come in handy today since you can use them for different purposes. If you are a business or a manufacturing plant then you can rely on solar farms to reduce your electricity consumption. Businesses that consume a lot of electricity can invest in a utility-scale solar farm to lower their costs. They can then use some of the electricity from the farm or get tax credits for the solar energy they generate. Alternatively, local communities and residential homes can also invest in solar farms as a way of cutting down costs and reducing their energy footprint.

How to build solar farm

How Do Solar Farms Work - All About Massive Energy SavingThere are several factors that you need to consider when building a solar farm. Land acreage, for example, is a critical factor. If you want a small farm for residential use then a few acres may be enough for this. However, utility-scale farms will need hundreds, if not thousands of acres. Secondly, you also need to consider the location of your solar farm. The best solar farms are often located near power lines to ensure that electricity can easily be fed into the grid. Moreover, you also need to consider the number of solar panels and their production capacity to meet your energy needs. We also recommend that you get the best flexible solar panels, if you wish to maximize on your investment. These panels can easily be swung and fixed depending on the position and intensity of the sun.

Benefits and drawbacks of solar farms

What are some of the merits and demerits of solar farms? You may probably be wondering. Well, here are some of the reasons why you should invest in s a solar farm project.

  • No impact on the environment– If you are familiar with other sources of energy like coal then you know how harmful they are to the ecosystem. Solar farms, on the other hand, present no adverse effects to the environment.
  • Minimal maintenance– Running a solar farm is quite easy as it requires little to no maintenance. There are no running parts so you only need to set up the solar panels and start enjoying your investment.
  • Great for biodiversity– Farm animals that need to graze can easily coexist with the solar panels as they present no danger. Land that is used for solar farming can help to maintain soil quality before planting.
  • Work all around the world–  Solar farms are not a reserve of the tropics. You can set up a solar farm in any part of the world as long as the sun shines for a couple of hours.

As with most things there are also a few drawbacks of solar farms. The high investment costs involved, for example, prevents many people from setting up. According to Energy Sage, the costs of setting up a 1MW solar farm may be as high as $1 million and this is even higher for residential solar farms. Moreover, you will need a vast amount of land spanning to the hundreds or thousands of acres to install a solar farm.

Final thoughts

The sun is a great source of energy, particularly because it is clean and renewable. With the ample amount of sun that the world receives throughout the year, this source of energy can help generate lots of electricity. One way to take advantage of the benefits of solar power is by investing in a solar farm. Solar farms have made it possible for individuals, communities, and even businesses to get access to clean sources of energy. But what are they and how do solar farms work? Well, solar farms are simply a collection of solar panels in a vast area of land. They offer a clean and renewable source of energy without causing any negative impact on the environment. Embracing this clean source of energy will have a wonderful impact on the environment while also reducing your energy bills.

References

1.
Is Solar the cheapest form of electricity for British Farmers?
Dairy units, chicken sheds, refrigeration stores, farm diversification units and grain stores all require a significant amount of electricity to operate. This can be a major overhead for any farm business and will affect its profitability.

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