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What Is a Solar Farm?

R.Chin
R.Chin

A solar farm, also known as a solar power plant, is a large-scale installation that uses sunlight to produce electric power. The “farm” part of the name comes from the idea of “harvesting” sunlight, as well as the resemblance of some power plants to fields full of crops. The typical solar farm will use one of two different methods to produce power: photovoltaic cells or concentrated solar thermal energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar farms take advantage of the photoelectric effect to convert light into electricity. They usually consist of vast numbers of PV solar cells collected into arrays. Since the amount of energy that can be produced is dependent upon the amount of sunlight that can be collected, a PV solar farm may have tens or hundreds of thousands of solar arrays laid out over large tracts of land. The arrays are usually individually mounted and are programmed to tilt to follow the sun as its angle changes. This movement allows the panels to capture the maximum intensity of sunlight throughout the day. An innovation that will continue to reduce the average cost for solar.

An array of solar panels is pointed at the sun to absorb solar energy.
An array of solar panels is pointed at the sun to absorb solar energy.

Solar thermal farms harness the power of the sun in a different way. At a thermal solar farm, sunlight is focused using lenses or reflectors at one or more locations, and is used to raise the temperature of a liquid, usually an oil. That liquid will be used to run a more traditional generator, often by boiling water to drive a steam turbine. There is more variation in structure at solar thermal farms than there is for PV farms — some have individual reflectors that each heat its own small area, while others have many mirrors all focused at a single point, often a tower or other elevated location.

A closeup of a solar panel.
A closeup of a solar panel.

Solar farms are usually located in flat areas, as building on level ground eliminates efficiency-reducing shadows. The best locations will also have clear skies and strong sunlight, though excessive heat can reduce the efficiency. Because they take up so much space, many solar farms are built in desert areas to avoid using up arable land. In addition, the intensity of sunlight varies depending on where on Earth the farm is built; locations near the Equator will have stronger light than those closer to the north or south poles, and will thus produce more energy.

Solar dishes can have working temperatures that exceed 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit.
Solar dishes can have working temperatures that exceed 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unlike fossil fueled power plants, a solar farm uses a renewable resource to produce electricity. Solar power is therefore usually considered to be better for the environment. In some cases, however, there has been concern over the environmental impact from building the plants, as their setup requires significant resources.

Discussion Comments

mobilian33

I think solar farms are eyesores. They look like something out of a science fiction movie, and they ruin the landscape in the places where they are put up. I feel the same way about the wind farms. However, the wind farms are more dangerous to the wild life, so I guess that one point in favor of the solar farms.

Animandel

@Feryll -I think we are just looking at a matter of time before solar energy is one of the most popular energy sources used. I was surprised when I recently learned how many solar powered hot water heaters there are being used in the United States. Not long ago, I didn't know of anyone who had a solar powered hot water heater.

And I am also beginning to see more and more of these solar farms like described in this article. I wouldn't say they are popping up all over the place, but I have seen a couple of them.

Feryll

I would love to have a solar energy system set up at my house. When I mention my desire to use solar energy, many of my neighbors and many of my friends constantly tell me that the price of installing a solar system is way too expensive and that I should just continue using the energy sources I am currently using. However, what most people don't seem to understand is that once you get your solar system operating, the energy is totally free.

Unless some company or the government figures out some way to charge us for sun rays then we don't have to worry about paying for this energy, which is environmentally friendly and abundant. The fact I find so amazing is that more people are not already using solar energy. There are plenty of wealthy people who could be making use of solar energy with little to no regard for the start-up cost.

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    • An array of solar panels is pointed at the sun to absorb solar energy.
      By: Pinosub
      An array of solar panels is pointed at the sun to absorb solar energy.
    • A closeup of a solar panel.
      By: Sergiogen
      A closeup of a solar panel.
    • Solar dishes can have working temperatures that exceed 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit.
      By: vladischern
      Solar dishes can have working temperatures that exceed 1,380 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Solar farms use sunlight to produce electric power.
      By: Pakhnyushchyy
      Solar farms use sunlight to produce electric power.