The Technology
Solar Photovoltaic Panels
We believe that Solar PV technology has won the race to be the most practical and economically viable method of generating electricity with zero carbon emissions. Combined with suitable power balancing projects Solar PV has the potential to be the backbone of electricity supply, creating energy security and combating climate change.
Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) technology to generate electrical power from daylight. Solar PV does not rely on intense sunlight, any level of daylight is enough for electricity generation, this means that countries with poorer weather are able to generate significant volumes of solar energy.
Converting light into electricity using one of the most abundant mineral sources accessible from the Earth's surface, Quartz (SiO2).
Solar panels generate direct current which is then transformed into alternating current via inverters, making it suitable for connection to the electricity network.
Photovoltaic technology was first introduced and used over fifty years ago, most famously featuring in calculators. Advances in the technology have improved rapidly in recent years, with the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic devices and grid connected solar panels increasing substantially. Solar panels have been in mass production worldwide since the early 2000s.
As manufacturing costs decrease, solar PV is becoming an increasingly popular energy source worldwide.
Why Solar Power?
Solar PV is now a competitive, mature technology. It is the fastest growing, easily deployed and affordable renewable energy worldwide. Solar farms create zero emissions, have little to no impact on the local environment and are visually unobtrusive.
Solar PV assists in providing national energy security, and creates long-term localised jobs for ongoing maintenance of the projects.
The Benefits
Socially & Economically
- Landowners can benefit from a stable, long-term income
- Solar PV can be developed and installed faster than any other renewable with a typical construction period of 3 - 6 months
- Solar development facilitates dual-usage of land as sheep can continue to graze between panels
- Solar farms can use the existing grid infrastructure and usually do not require major grid reinforcements
- Solar developments are easily screened using existing or new hedgerows
- Solar has a very predictable energy curve as it produces electricity during daylight hours
The Benefits
Environmentally
- Solar energy does not require the input of external fuel and therefore supports national energy independence
- Solar farms will assist in the reduction of CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Solar energy provides electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or air pollutants
- Solar is clean, quiet and visually unobtrusive
- The passive environment around solar farms is an appealing habitat to a variety of wildlife and has been proven to enhance biodiversity