Solar farms are playing an increasingly important part in the energy mix of countries around the world. Spain, Germany and the USA lead the way; but could solar power plants become a reality in the UK?
Solar Farms
Solar farms take photovoltaic (PV) power to a larger scale. They compromise of huge arrays of PV panels, generating electricity directly for the grid. The scale of these investments have grown in recent years with the current largest being Olmedilla Photovoltaic Farm in Olmedilla de Alarcón, Spain. This installation uses more than 160,000 panels to produce a peak power output of 60 MW – enough for 40,000 homes. Solar farms occupy large areas of land but are increasingly integrated with agriculture to provide dual use of the available area. Spain and Germany currently lead the way in solar farms, however, the USA is in the process of constructing the biggest solar farm in the world – 600MW at Rancho Cielo Solar Farm.
Concentrating Solar Energy Farms
Another use of solar in large scale power production uses concentrating solar energy. This technology focuses large amounts of sunlight on to small areas to produce enough heat to boil water. This steam turns turbines to generate electricity – much like in a conventional fossil fuel power station. The largest concentrating solar energy farm is the Solar Energy Generating Systems in the Mojave Desert in California. It has a total generating capacity of 354 MW. The drawback of concentrating solar energy is the need for direct sunlight. This makes the application of this technology in the UK unlikely, due to the high proportion of cloudy days we receive.
Solar Farms in the UK
Solar farms and concentrating solar energy plants provide emission-free power, with low ongoing running costs and consequently may form an important component of our future energy mix. With the introduction of Feed In Tariffs, the prospect of solar farms in the UK has moved a step closer. A proposed payment of 26p per KWh for systems up to 5MW could yield returns of in excess of 8% per year. The drawback of such facilities is, however, the large amount of land required and the consequent negative visual impact on the landscape. This has been highlighted recently in Germany where Prince Albert of Thurn and Taxis has run in to stiff opposition to his plans to convert huge tracts of land from traditional agriculture to solar farms. Critics cite the scale of the plans as their main objection; it covers an area 190 hectares.
Micro Generation versus Farms
Micro-generation is the other application of PV technology. Micro generation involves putting smaller numbers of panels onto a building which consumes power (e.g. home, factory, office, school). The advantage of micro generation is that it does not occupy unused land, minimises power loss in transit and provides a low cost way for people to ensure they are providing for their own energy needs. It allows people to reduce their dependence on electricity produced by fossil fuels and the continued rising prices in this market and reduce their carbon footprint.