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Solar Farms

Why does the UK need solar farms?

All coal-fired power stations must close by 2025, and there is a national transition to low-carbon sources of energy.  The UK is required by law to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

As this large-scale shift in power source happens, the National Grid estimates UK electricity consumption to double by 2050. 

Solar energy is a crucial source of low-carbon power and will help to keep the nation fully powered well beyond 2050. 

Energy security is a national priority alongside decarbonisation. Solar energy is affordable, renewable and sustainable.

Energy prices in the UK are among the highest in Europe, and solar power generation plays a vital role in helping to drive down energy costs. 

In its current form, Holmside Solar would have a clean energy output of 27 Megawatts – enough to power 12,800 houses a year and save 400,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.

How does the solar farm work?

Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells (which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar PV) that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. 

Photovoltaic cells are sandwiched between layers of semi-conducting materials such as silicone. Each layer has different electronic properties that energise when hit by photons from sunlight, creating an electric field. This is known as the photoelectric effect, and this creates the electrical current.

Solar panels generate a Direct Current of electricity. This is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an Alternating Current, which can then be fed into the National Grid, or directly to large local power users.